IP BOX B

CONTENTS
1. GENERAL ................................................................................................................................ 2
2. DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Power supply ............................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Controller ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Drop/Insert ................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 E1 Line interfaces........................................................................................................ 5
2.5 Ethernet L2 Switch ...................................................................................................... 6
3. INSTALLATION ........................................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Mechanical installation ................................................................................................ 7
3.2 Electrical installation .................................................................................................... 7
3.2.1 Single Unit BOX.............................................................................................. 7
3.2.2 Three unit sub-rack......................................................................................... 9
4. PROGRAMMABILITY and MANAGEMENT .......................................................................... 10
5. MAINTENANCE AND ALARMS............................................................................................. 16
6. ANNEX 1 Block Diagram and Subrack configuration......................................................... 17
7. SCT - E1 port configuration................................................................................................... 20

IP - BOX B

E/001
1/20

1.

GENERAL

This document describes the IP BOX-B unit, its characteristics, its activation procedure and
the relevant maintenance operations.

ED. 002
2/20

IP-BOX B

2.

DESCRIPTION

The IP BOX unit is an equipment used in a TMN network to connect NE(s) to the
Management System (SIAE - NMS5UX). It can be used as an IP or IP-OSI (IS-IS) router
providing four interface types:
RS232 Asynchronous serial interface
RS422-V11 Synchronous serial interface
ETHERNET LAN - 10Base T
E1 line (nx64Kbit/s port or nx16Kbit/s into a 64Kbit/s time slot or 16Kbit/s using TS0)
In addition a USB (V1.0) port is reserved for LCT (Local Craft Terminal) access.
Two software versions are available:
1. IP-BOX with IP communication stack
2. IP BOX with IP and OSI communication stack
The IP Box is composed of a printed circuit board that can be housed:
in a small metallic box with connectors placed on the front and rear panels (Fig. 2).
in a one unit (1U) 19 sub rack (Fig. 3)
In the sub-rack version up to three units can be housed.
Figure 1 represents a simplified block-diagram of the unit. This diagram shows the most
important functional blocks and the relevant ports towards the IP network.
The main functional blocks of the IP BOX are as follows:
- Power supply;
- Controller;
- FPGA - E1 Drop/Insert;
- Ethernet L2 Switch.
Below, there is a brief description of each functional block.

IP - BOX B

E/001
3/20

2.1

Power supply

The Power supply block of the IP BOX is composed of two DC/DC converters in cascade.
The first one is devoted to transform the battery main voltage (20 72v DC range), coming
from the ALARM LINES connector into 5v DC, while the second one converts this 5v DC into
3.3v DC.
The electrical characteristics of the Power supply block are as follows:

Primary voltage
(ALARM LINES connector)

from 18 72v DC

Secondary voltages

5v DC, 3.3v DC

Power Consumption

less than 6W

2.2

Controller

The Controller block is composed of a 32 bit/50 MHz Motorola ColdFire micro-controller and
the relevant memory benches
The main characteristics of the controller block are as follows:
Clock:

50 MHz

Not Volatile Memory (Flash):

8 MBytes

Dynamic Memory:

32 MBytes

Serial Ports:

ED. 002
4/20

IP-BOX B

2.3

Drop/Insert

The Drop/Insert block is composed of a FPGA connected with the line interfaces of the input
and output 2 Mbit/s streams. The IP BOX unit receives and transmits a 2 Mbit/s stream and it
is able to drop and to insert a data stream into nx64Kb/s time slots of the 2Mbit/s signal or
into an nx16Kb/s of a selected 64Kb/s time slot or into the spare bits in Time Slot0. The
Drop/Insert operations are executed by the FPGA under the direct control of the Controller
block.

2.4

E1 Line interfaces

The line interfaces, present into the IP BOX unit, work with 2 Mbit/s HDB3 encoded streams.
Each line interface has different functions related to the direction of the data stream and are
referred to as INPUT and OUTPUT, their functions are as follows:
-

Input data The interface regenerates the input signal and balances attenuation due to
the cable as detailed by ITU G.703/G.704 specifications.
Output data The interface provides a data stream with the electric characteristics
detailed by ITU G.703/G.704 specifications.

Electrical characteristics of 2Mbit/s interface

The electrical characteristics of the 2Mbit/s interface, provided to the user, are as follows:

Bit rate

2048 kbit/s

Line code

HDB3

Type of nominal interface/impedance

unbalanced / 75

Connector

1.0/2.3

Nominal value

2,37Vp on 75

Input reflection attenuation

12 dB from 51 kHz to 102 kHz

18 dB from 102 kHz to 2048 kHz
14 dB from 2048 kHz to 3072 kHz

Max attenuation of input cable

6 dB in at 1024 kHz

If DC power is removed from the IP BOX unit, the unit becomes transparent to the 2 Mbit/s
lines towards the user and the master station.

IP - BOX B

E/001
5/20

2.5

Ethernet L2 Switch

The IP-BOX has an Ethernet L2 Switch connecting the following ports:

Micro processor Ethernet port

Two 10BaseT external Ethernet ports

Two Internal ports connectable to E1 serial frame

It is possible to connect to each of the internal ports a serial frame generated by an

nx64Kbit/s drop/insert signal on the E1s.
The two Ethernet interfaces of the IP BOX unit follow specification 802.3 with MAU
transceiver 10BaseT and standard RJ45 connector.
The two Ethernet ports are configurable (using SCT) as:

"MDI" (Media Dependent Interface)

"MDIX" (Media Dependent Interface with Crossover).

"Auto Cross".

ED. 002
6/20

IP-BOX B

3.

INSTALLATION

This paragraph describes the mechanical and electrical installation practices of the IP BOX
unit.

3.1

Mechanical installation

The IP BOX is an indoor unit with a metallic protection shell that requires some special
installation procedures figure 2.
Up to three IP BOX units can be also housed into a subrack (Figure 3):
19 Height 1U HxWxD (mm): 44 x 482 x 240

3.2

Electrical installation

The electrical installation of the IP BOX unit requires the preparation of the wiring necessary
for the correct function of the unit and for the connections to the Ethernet network.
Different connectors are provided dependant on the version.

3.2.1

Single Unit BOX

The connectors provided on the unit are listed below (Refer to Fig. 2).
Front panel:
- E1 in/out connectors ( connector) female type 1.0/2.3 at 75
- E1 in/out connectors (PMP connector) female type 1.0/2.3 at 75
- ALARM LINES connector Sub-D male type with 15 pins (the description of the pins
is detailed in Table 1). This connector provides the 48v DC and user input relay
contacts.
Rear panel:
- 2 x 802.3 connector RJ45 Ethernet standard type
- PMP-LES or RS232-RS422/PPP RJ45 connectors (the wiring is detailed in Table
1).
- RS232/PPP connector Sub-D male type with 9 pins (the wiring description is
detailed in Table 1).
- USB connector for LCT

IP - BOX B

E/001
7/20

Power supply connectors

The power supply connector is included with the ALARM LINES (48v DC)

Table 1 Connector Wire

Pin

Rs232/RS422

RS232/PPP

ALARM LINES

PIN

PMP_LES
1

CkTx- (V11)

RTS (C105)

Power supply -

CkTx+ (V11)

DTR (C108)

Relay-1

TxD- (C103 or V11)

TxD (C103)

Relay-2

TxD+ (V11)

GND (C102)

Relay-3

RxD+ (V11)

+5V (Out)

Relay-4

RxD- (C104 or V11)

RxD (C104)

Relay-5

CkRx- (V11)

CD (C109)

Relay-6

CkRx+ (V11) or
5VDC

CTS (C106)

Relay-7

Shield

* GND

Power supply +

Power supply +

10

Power supply +

11

Power supply +

12

GND

13

GND

14
15

* The ground connection for the PMP_LES connector has made via RJ45 Chassis

ED. 002
8/20

IP-BOX B

3.2.2

Three unit sub-rack

The connectors provided by each equipped unit are listed below (Refer to Fig.3):
- E1-1 in/out connectors female type 1.0/2.3 at 75
- E1-2 in/out connectors female type 1.0/2.3 a 75
- 2x802.3 connectors RJ45 Ethernet standard type
- RS232-RS422/PPP connector RJ45 type (the wiring is detailed in Table 2).
- RS232/PPP connector RJ45 type (the wiring is detailed out in Table 2).
- USB connector
Alarm Connector
Alarm line connector Sub-D male type with 15 pins (the description of the pins is detailed
in Table 2). It is used for the return of relay contacts.
Power supply connector
The sub-rack version requires a single SUB D 3W3 male connector for 48v DC power supply
(Table 2)
Table 2 Pins of the connectors

Pin

RS232-RS422/PPP

RS232/PPP

3W3

Alarm Connector

PIN

CkTx- (V11)

RTS (C105_PPP)

+V

CkTx+ (V11)

DTR (C108_PPP)

GND

IP-BOX-1 Alarm

TxD- (C103 or V11)

TxD (C103_PPP)

-V

TxD+ (V11)

GND (C102)

IP-BOX-2 Alarm

RxD+ (V11)

+5V (Out)

RxD- (C104 or V11)

RxD (C104_PPP)

IP-BOX-3 Alarm

CkRx- (V11)

CD (C109_PPP)

CkRx+ (V11) or
5VDC

CTS (C106_PPP)

Shield

* GND

10
11
12
13
14
15

IP - BOX B

E/001
9/20

4.

PROGRAMMABILITY and MANAGEMENT

The IP BOX unit is managed through SNMP protocol using a proprietary MIB (Management
Information Base) which details the managed objects.
The SNMP v1 protocol is used in accordance with RFC 1157 spec; MIB description is
according to V1 syntax, the unit is fully complaint with these specifications:

RFC 1155 SMIv1

RFC 1156 MIB for Network Management

RFC 1212 concise MIB definitions

According to the network type and customer requirements the IP BOX supporting SNMP
protocol can be provided with two protocol stacks: a Full IP stack or an OSI+IP stack.
As an option the Full IP stack version supports dynamic IP routing through OSPF (Open
Shortest Path First) protocol.
When implementing OSI+IP stack, layers 1 to 3 are compliant with the recommendations:
Level3: ISO 8473, ISO 10589 IS-IS
Level2: G.921 LAPD

IP Communication Stack

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SNMP
TCP / UDP
IP - OSPF
PPP

LLC 802.2
MAC 802.3
802.3
ETH - LAN

ED. 002
10/20

2Mb/s
nx64(16)Kb

ASYN-Rs232
57.6 Kb/s

IP-BOX B

SYNC-RS422

64 Kb/s

IP - OSI Communication Stack

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SNMP
TCP / UDP
IP
ISO 8473 ISO10589 IS-IS
LLC 802.2
MAC 802.3

LAPD G.921

802.3
ETH - LAN

2Mb/s
nx64(16)Kb/s

PPP

SYNC-RS422

64 Kb/s

ASYN-Rs232
57.6 Kb/s

IP - BOX IP INTERFACE INTERCONNECTION

E1-1 or E1-2
nx64Kb/s (n<=4) or
TS0 spare bits
PPP Protocol
RS232 Asynch.
(57.6Kb/s)
PPP Protocol

RS422/V11 Synch.
(64Kb/s)
PPP Protocol
LAN MicroProcessor

ETH LAN A
ETH LAN B

IP - BOX B

E1-1
nx64Kb/s (n<=31)
E1-2
nx64Kb/s (n<=31)

E/001
11/20

The communication ports of IP-BOX unit are:

2 x Ethernet LAN
1 x Asynchronous RS232 serial interfaces
1 x Asynchronous RS232 or 1xSynchronous RS422-V.11 serial interface
2 x E1 G.704 signals

TO OTHER NE

FROM OTHER NE

LAN Interconnection
The two Ethernet ports are connected to the L2 internal switch, both ports can be used to
connect the IP-BOX to the LAN or to another NE (Refer to the above figure)
The Asynchronous RS232 serial interfaces are programmed to support Point to Point
Protocol (PPP) supporting Wide Area Network (WAN) interconnection using TCP/IP protocol.
The maximum speed is 57.6Kb/s
One of the two RS232 port can be configured to support synchronous RS422-V11, the
maximum speed is 64Kb/s. The supported protocol is PPP for Full IP version or LAPD for
IP-OSI version
The IP-BOX provides 2 x E1 G704 interfaces.
On both of these it is possible to drop/insert:
nx64Kb/s time slots
nx16Kb/s within a 64Kb/s time slot
TS0 spare bits
Because the IP BOX provides one serial controller, the operator has to select which E1 to
connect. The supported protocol is PPP for Full IP version or LAPD for IP-OSI version.
The maximum number of 64Kbit/s is four.
It is mandatory the use of the serial controller (PPP or LAPD protocol) with TS0 spare bits
and nx16Kbit/s
The nx64Kbit/s (n<=31) dropped/inserted from/to an E1 signal can be connected to an
internal port of L2 Switch (Fig. 1) and in this way it can be used to connect two remote IPBOX (WAN interconnection between two Ethernet LAN switches).
Two internal L2 switch ports are available (Fig.1), to these ports two TS Group (TSG1 and
TSG2) can be connected. The two TSG can belong or not to the same E1.
Using the "Lan per port" L2 switch feature it is possible to separate the traffic coming from
the LAN ports and addressed to the internal CPU and/or to the two TSG.
The figure 3 reports the SCT window used to configure E1 drop/insert features.
The following page show different scenarios covered by the IP BOXs features.

ED. 002
12/20

IP-BOX B

Scenario 1

Only one IP NETWORK

IP-BOX 1

IP-BOX 2

IP-BOX 3

CONTROLLER

CONTROLLER

CONTROLLER

TDM

TDM

Ethernet

nx64Kb/s on E1

Ethernet

nx64Kb/s on E1

Ethernet

The E1 signals are connected to L2 IP-BOX switch, the number of 64Kb/s E1 time slots is
configurable from 1 to 31, no routing IP is performed by IP-BOX and it looks as if all the IPBOXs are connected to the same LAN.

Scenario 2

IP-NET 1

IP-NET 2

IP-BOX 1

IP-BOX 2
TDM
IP-BOX 3

CONTROLLER

nx64Kb/s or TS0 on E1

CONTROLLER

CONTROLLER

TDM

Ethernet

Ethernet

nx64Kb/s on E1

Ethernet

The connection between IP-BOX 1 and IP-BOX 2 is a point-to-point connection using PPP
protocol, IP BOX-1 and IP-BOX 2 belong to two different IP sub-networks and they act as
routers between the two sub-networks. The connection between IP-BOX 1 and IP-BOX 2 can
use:
nx64Kb/s time slots (n<=4)
nx16Kb within a 64Kb/s time slot
TS0 spare bits (16Kb/s)
IP-BOX 2 and IP-BOX 3 are connected using bridging functionality.

IP - BOX B

E/001
13/20

Scenario 3

IP-NET 1

IP-NET 2

IP-BOX 1

IP-BOX 2
TDM

CONTROLLER

nx64Kb/s or TS0 on E1-1(2)

CONTROLLER

TDM

Ethernet

nx64Kb/s on E1-1(2)

Ethernet

IP-NET 3
The connection between IP-BOX 1 and IP-BOX 2 is implemented both by a point-to-point
connection using PPP protocol and by bridging functionality. Both connections can use the
same E1 signal.
The scenario covers the need to have a connection reserved for data traffic and the other
one for the IP-BOX remote management.
Scenario 4

IPBOX 1

IPBOX 2

IPBOX 3

TSG1 - TSG2

TSG1

TSG2

E1-1

E1-1

E1-2

TDM

ETH A

ETH B

E1-1
TDM

ETH A

ETH A

The three IP-BOX are connected using bridging functionality.

IP-BOX maps two TSG (Time Slot Group) on the same E1, the two TSG are
dropped/inserted in different sites by IP-BOX 2 and IP-BOX 3.
Using Lan per Port L2 switch feature in IP-BOX 1 it is possible to separate the traffic
coming from ETH A and ETH B

ED. 002
14/20

IP-BOX B

Scenario 5
IPBOX 1

IPBOX 2

TSG1 - TSG2

TSG1
E1-1

E1-1

ETH B

E1-2

ETH A

TSG1 - TSG2

TSG2
E1-1

E1-2

TDM

ETH A

IPBOX 6

IPBOX 3

ETH B

ETH A

TDM

E1-1

ETH A

ETH B

ETH B

IPBOX 5
ETH A

TSG1 - TSG2

ETH B
E1-1

E1-1
TDM

IPBOX 4

ETH A

ETH B

TSG1 - TSG2

This Scenario 5 is a Scenario 4 extension.

All the IP BOX are connected using bridging functionality.
It shows that, connecting in a site more IP BOX using LAN interface,
implement also a configuration site-multi site.

it is possible to

All the sites are in the same IP network.

It is possible to manage and to control IP BOX locally using SCT/LCT through SNMP
protocol:
Port Configuration (IP address, IP netmask, OSI NSAP)
OSPF parameters (Full IP version only)
Software inventory and Software download
Alarm Management. The alarms are transferred in an asynchronously using SNMPTrap. An alarm history log is locally managed by the IP-BOX.
Security Management The access to the IP-BOX is protected by username and
password according to different user profile.
The IP-BOX can be managed remotely by NMS5UX/NMS5LX through SNMP protocol:
Port Configuration (E1 Time slot assignment only)
Software inventory and Software download
Alarm Management. The alarms are transferred in an asynchronously using SNMPTrap.
Security Management. The access to the IP-BOX is protected by username and
password according to different user profile.

IP - BOX B

E/001
15/20

5.

MAINTENANCE AND ALARMS

The maintenance of the IP BOX unit consists of the activation of the relevant alarm signals.
In case of a positive hardware fail, it is necessary to replace the entire unit.
The alarm management is executed according to the following modes:
By means of four LEDs present on the front panel of the equipment for the stand alone
version (refer to Figure 2);

The illumination of each LED has the following meaning:

-

Rx:Data detected at input; GREEN

Tx: Data detected at output; GREEN

: Unit correctly power supplied; GREEN

''

: Failed unit. RED

By means of a led present on the front panel of the equipment in 1RU version (refer to
Figure 3). When the STATUS:LED is illuminated GREEN the IP-BOX is functioning
normally

By means of the supervisory software (refer to the manual of the relevant supervisory
software);

The alarms reported to the Manager through SNMP trap are the following ones:

LAN 1 (LAN 2) cable Fail

Fault on the etnernet port (cable missing or fail)

IP BOX 2Mb/S G.704 signal fail at E1-1 (E1-2)

E1 signal fail (cable missing or fail)

IP BOX Communication 2Mb/s EOC Data Link Alarm

Protocol error (PPP or LAPD) on E1 link

IP BOX Communication 64Kb/s V11 EOC Data Link Alarm

Protocol error (PPP or LAPD) on 64Kb/s V11 data link

ED. 002
16/20

IP-BOX B

6.

ANNEX 1 Block Diagram and Subrack configuration

E1
conn.

RJ-45

E1
conn.
E1 Master
Station side

PPP Port

RS232

Micro
Controller
Processore

Drop/Inser
Ports

2xE1

LAN

FPGA
E1
FPGA

Drop/Insert

RS424Rs422/
232
Port
Rs232

Alarms and
user I/O

Ethernet
Ethernet
L2
Switch
Controller

Aux-Power Supply
Main-Power Supply

LAN-1

LAN-2

USB

RJ-45

USB 1.0

Ethernet
Port A

RJ-45
Ethernet
Port B

RJ-45
TNM Conn.

Sub-D
15-Pin
Alarms &
Main Power Supply (+48V)

Figure 1 Block-diagram of the IP BOX unit

IP - BOX B

E/001
17/20

2x10BaseT
ETH LAN
ports

USB-LCT
Port

RS232 -PPP
Port
RS232/Rs422
PMP_LES/PPP
Port

E1-2/Switch
Port

E1-1/PMP
Port

Alarm Lines
48v DC PSU

Figure 2 IP-BOX Stand alone version

ED. 002
18/20

IP-BOX B

E1-2 Port

E1-1 Port

2x10BaseT
ETH LAN
Ports

USB
LCT Port

Alarm
Connector

PSU
Connector

RS232/RS422
PPP - Port

RS232 - PPP
Port

Figure 3 IP-BOX 1RU Sub-rack version

IP - BOX B

E/001
19/20

7.

SCT - E1 port configuration

E1-PPP
IP configuration

E1-PPP
Protocol enable

E1-PPP
TS assignement

E1-PPP
16Kb/s assignement

E1 Bridging
LAN per Port

E1 Bridging
TSG1 and TSG2 Configuration

ED. 002
20/20

IP-BOX B