Montage. Software Version 5.0C Release Bulletin

Transcription

1 Montage Software Version 5.0C Release Bulletin

2 Copyright 1996: PictureTel Corporation Printed in U.S.A. PictureTel Corporation, 100 Minuteman Road, Andover, MA Telephone number: PictureTel is a registered trademark of PictureTel Corporation. The PictureTel logo and Montage are trademarks of PictureTel Corporation. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. PictureTel assumes no responsibility for technical or editorial errors or omissions that may appear in this document or for the use of this material. Nor does PictureTel make any commitment to update the information contained in this document. This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of PictureTel Corporation. Edition: /A

3 Software Version 5.0C Release Bulletin Read this software release bulletin for the latest information about software version 5.0C. Topics include New features for Release 5.0C Restrictions and Recommendations Modem Operations Physical Configuration Guidelines Software Installation Documentation Change Pages 1

4 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN New Features for Release 5.0C Release 5.0C supports these new features: Continuous Presence conferencing With a Continuous Presence module (also called the Video Processing Unit, or VPU) installed, you can now view from your conferencing system (VCS) as many as four different sites simultaneously in one conference, rather than only one at a time. The four sites appear in quadrants on your screen and provide a more realistic and interactive conference than traditional multipoint conferencing. In addition, you have the option to designate one site as the lecturer so that all sites see the lecturer, and the lecturer continues to see a mix of sites. BRI connectivity With this release, an MCS with a BRI module configured to use the Network Side protocol can connect directly to a conference endpoint, and a BRI module configured to use the User Side protocol can connect to an endpoint through a switched BRI network. Audio conferencing With the new Audio Conferencing module (ACM) installed and configured in your MCS, you can include as many as 24 analog audio-only participants in conferences without using BPU resources. MCS Monitor The MCS monitor, located in the Hardware Diagnostics window, now provides a support person or administrator with a real-time display of MCS module and network line status information. The Bridge Processing unit (BPU), Inverse Multiplexer Processing unit (IMPU), and Video Processing Unit (VPU) modules can now report detailed information based on the results of diagnostic tests. The E1/ISDN and T1/ISDN modules can now report basic module status, diagnostic information, and network interface line error statistics. Channel Redial The Channel Redial feature provides two redial capabilities: automatically redialing 2B connections during the initial connection attempt and enabling the manual redialing of the second B channel from the director control screen. 2

5 New Features for Release 5.0C Muting audio from a conference endpoint By making a menu selection through the Director Control Functions window, you can now mute audio received from a site. Intel MRV Video This release supports the Intel MRV video protocol when the conference consists of only Intel ProShare end points. Improved software backup and restoration The MCS software backup and restoration procedures have been improved, making software backup and restoration easier and faster. These changes are documentated in a replacement chapter for the Montage 5.0 Administration Guide and Montage Servicing Guide that is attached as a supplement to the end of this document. Entry, exit, and warning tones The MCS sends tones to each conference endpoint that indicate when a conference site joins or leaves a conference, as well as when a conference is about to end. Presentation mode video switching With this feature, you select during conference definition a site to be continuously broadcast to all other conference sites: this is the fixed presenter site. The fixed presenter site, in turn, receives its video input based on voice-activated switching from the other sites. Conference summary This feature allows you to display, print, and save conference information (name, conference ID, and MCS and site phone numbers, as well as the conference notification) after scheduling a conference. 3

6 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Enhanced Call-by-Call (CBC) capability CBC eliminates the need for separate circuits for separate service types services are selected on a call-by-call basis. Using CBC also means that you need fewer phone numbers for the same functionality, thus reducing network complexity as well as usage rates. In addition, when combined with Non- Facility Associated Signaling (NFAS), CBC allows you to define one pool of phone numbers that can be reached on any of the PRI interfaces in an NFAS group. Dual bus support The Montage 570 at Montage 5.0C supports dual bus processing. H.243 support PictureTel products now support the H.243 standard set, including Far End Camera Control (FECC), which is listed as Low Speed Data (LSD) in the Montage user interface. You need to activate both H.243 and LSD in the Conference Creation window in order for FECC to work properly. LiveScheduler support Montage 5.0C supports LiveScheduler Release See the LiveScheduler Software Release Bulletin for more details. RS-366 support At Release 5.0C, the Montage 570 supports the RS-366 module, which provides automatic dialing in conjunction with high-speed data (HSD) modules. Notes: The Montage 5.0C provides limited support to create and conduct data-sharing conferences using the T.120 standard. To enable data sharing, you must have at least one optional T.120 Conferencing module (also called the Data Processing Unit, or DPU) installed and configured in your MCS. T.120 has undergone limited testing and is available at Release 5.0C, by agreement with PictureTel, for evaluation purposes. Equipment and configuration restrictions apply to the use of T.120 with PictureTel equipment. For more information, see the T.120 Evaluation Kit Guide. 4

7 Restrictions and Recommendations Restrictions and Recommendations BRI Before you install this software release, read the following restrictions and recommendations associated with this release. This section provides the following topics: BRI Diagnostics Continuous Presence MCS MCS Workstation Documentation Miscellaneous Montage 5.0C release supports four BRI modules per MCS and two BRI modules per conference. If you are using a BRI module as the system clock source, it must be the first module listed in the MCS configuration file. You cannot dial phone numbers longer than 19 digits with BRI modules. If you experience problems dialing out on a BRI module configured to use the User Side protocol, reconfigure the BRI interface channels as follows: Select No Plan for Numbering Plan Select No Type for Numbering Type Do not execute internal or interface loopback commands on conference endpoints connected through a BRI module. (If you use this diagnostic, you need to delete the endpoint from the conference and then add it.) If you wish to add a BRI User side inverse multiplexed site using the Basic Conference Initiator, you must add the site in the Conference Definition window. If you try to add the IMX site using the Basic Conference Initiator s Conference Control window, the message Failed to add site. Invalid parameter found validating command. appears. To fix this problem, go to the Conference Definition window to add the site. 5

8 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Diagnostics Do not run software diagnostics; this feature is used by Enterprise Services Division (ESD) personnel. If you wish to run hardware diagnostics on a T1/ISDN module, remove the module from the software configuration, run the diagnostics, restore the module to the software configuration, and then reboot the MCS. Failure to do so will produce incorrect alarms. When conferences are running, do not run VPU hardware diagnostics. The status of a module s LEDs are invalid unless the module is configured. You cannot run hardware diagnostics on any module that has FLEXCOM or any other network provider service package. Remove FLEXCOM or other service from the configuration before you run hardware diagnostics. The hardware diagnostics status displays the status of a module as Operational when the diagnostics are running. The hardware diagnostics error message Error_code=1 Continuous Presence means that you ran diagnostics on a module that is not physically installed. You cannot have more than two VPU modules in a Montage 550, or more than five VPU modules in a Montage 570; you can use one VPU module per conference. If a site drops out of a conference for any reason, it remains frozen in the mix rather than being changed to a blank quadrant. To clear the display of a frozen image of a video site from a permanent conference, end the conference and then restart it. You can only affect the Video-Mix Mode listing at the beginning of a conference; thereafter, the list is static. SG4 is not supported in a Continuous Presence conference. 6

9 Restrictions and Recommendations On QCIF video, a horizontal and a vertical line appear between quadrants in a Continuous Presence conference and appear on the left-hand side on some VCSs. MCS The 20 system generic parameters have the default value of 0X except Generic Parameter 6, which is 0X Specific parameters are changed to remove a functional restriction. You must stop or unschedule all conferences before you reset the MCS. PictureTel recommends that all MCSs using H.243 cascading should be at the same revision level. The first site entering a conference can receive its own video (looped video) if the VCS is capable of receiving the signal. To restore the MCS base software (from tape) and to install a database that you previously backed up onto diskettes using the Recovery command: Restore the MCS software from tape. Delete its default database (QMDB) using Query Manager. Install the previously backed up database. In a densely configured MCS, the hardware diagnostic function is inconsistent in providing status for all modules. Use of CRCs is enabled inbound and outbound for all conference transfer rates. If you experience constant CRC errors in a restricted-rate conference site, use the system parameters to disable CRCs. With the Basic Conference Initiator, if you wish to change a conference definition from a multiple-channel transfer rate to a single-channel transfer rate or a single-channel rate to a multiple-channel rate, you must create a new conferencedefinition record, re-entering the conference sites. If the MCS and MCS workstation are located in different time zones, you cannot use the Non Specific Date and Time scheduling method when scheduling conferences that cross MCS day boundaries. Instead, use the Specific Date and Time method. 7

10 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN You cannot perform a T1 interface loopback test while there is an active conference on the same T1/ISDN module unless you configure the line as Full/Fractional T1. You must remove sites and conference definitions from the database when upgrading from the Basic Conference Initiator to the Advanced Scheduler. You cannot add a site while there are BPU or T1 hardware diagnostics running. The MCS creates daily accounting and event files, which should be periodically deleted or moved (approximately 30 days with normal usage; a shorter time interval is recommended for heavier usage). Dashes in phone numbers are not supported on the MCS. If you use LiveScheduler, you must use Release or above on Montage 5.0C. Do not run VPU Hardware Diagnostics while any conferences are running on the MCS (even non-continuous Presence conferences), as it is likely to cause timing problems or buffer overflows. You should not create or modify the modem file. Contact your ESD support person for the latest version. BRI Interface and Internal Loopbacks do not provide accurate results. Do not issue these diagnostic commands. After rebooting the MCS, the Quad BRI module (configured for Network Side operations) does not connect properly to an ISDN site during the first call. To correct this problem, redial the site. All scheduled conferences must be deleted and rescheduled if you change the configuration to be one of the following: the network bus is operating at a different mode the system resources have been reduced On-demand calling in ISDN Multi-Rate Channel Groups is not supported at this release. If you must recover a database previously backed up using Recovery and restore using the Base OS, you must delete the current database after restoring the Base OS. Use Query Manager to delete the database prior to using Recovery. 8

11 Restrictions and Recommendations Before you upgrade your database, any scheduled conference must be unscheduled. On-demand calling is available between Network side BRI sites and other Network side BRI sites or remote sites on an attached network. Remote sites must be connectable through the MCU's T1/PRI, E1/PRI, or BRI ISDN interfaces. All other interfaces such as Switched-56 do not yet support on-demand calling. For both Network side and User side BRI (on-demand or reserved), only 1B or 2B non-imux rates are supported. At boot up time, VPU Diagnostics take approximately 1 minute per VPU board. The system will not respond to any system commands during this period. Do not use duplicate phone numbers across multiple interfaces. Do not change the MCU Time through the console. Use the MCS Workstation function MCU Date/Time. After defining a new conference in the Basic Conference Initiator, you must immediately press Save and proceed to the Scheduler window. The conference will be set up as using a Temporary Conference Definition. Network Types 4ESS and 5ESS must not be configured on the same T1 board. The HSD timing configuration parameter DTE_Sys_TCE is no longer available. The Basic Conference Initiator cannot use the same phone number in IMUX ISDN channels more than once. Do not use the Esc-Alt key sequence repeatedly on the MCS console. You cannot work directly with the OS/2 operating system when the watchdog timer is enabled. You must disable the watchdog timer, then reboot the MCS. Refer to the Montage Installation Guide to learn how to enable or disable the watchdog timer jumper on the CPU. If you are taking the system clock from the network through a T1 card, and there is no live network plugged into the T1 card, there is no valid system clock. Either plug the T1 into a live network, or configure the T1 card to generate the clock itself. 9

12 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Database Accounting is no longer supported. If you are upgrading from Release 3.2C7, you should generate accounting information before the upgrade or else accounting record entries will be lost. When you perform the 5.0C software installation on a Montage 550, the message Directory already exists appears. Ignore the message. The Copy Event file list only displays the first 47 files, not the most recent ones. Use the File Utility on the MCS to get a complete display. When using the Copy Event file list, be aware that the list is sorted on month and day only; it does not include year sorting. After rebooting the MCS, wait until the MCS has completed its loading procedures before logging on. If you do not, you will see the error message HPU not ready or running If you see this message, allow more time for the system to boot. After you have completed a brand new 5.0C installation, the message Options disks previously installed appears. Ignore this message. When using H.243 Far End Camera Control (FECC), be aware that not all sites receive video when one site is in loopback. When you reset the system clock, the MCS displays a message that it will reboot the system in order to reset the clock with the correct time. If your workstation is using a 9-to-25 pin octacable, however, the workstation will not receive the acknowledgment that a reboot is in process. To prevent this problem, connect the 9-to-25 pin cable directly into a serial port on the Workstation PC before you reset the clock. PictureTel endpoints do not support 6B/H0 calls when connected to a Montage 5.0C MCS. 10

13 Restrictions and Recommendations MCS Workstation Do not use software diagnostics; this feature is for use by ESD-authorized personnel. If a site uses T1 services and connects to the MCS through channels split across different T1/ISDN module interfaces, the site window displays the interface status for the first channel in a non-nfas group. If you minimize a conference site window to an icon and then select the conference window from the program group, you see the open window at 75% of its actual size, and the site icons extend beyond the parent window. This occurs only if your Windows display driver is set to a resolution greater than 640 x 480. If you use a 1024 x 768 large font display driver, distortion of the workstation windows is likely. You should use a 1024 x 768 small font driver. You cannot use the same user name in more than one group. The MCS Workstation does not support Windows 95. If the MCS Workstation indicates that a site is muted when it is not, clear the problem by pressing the mute key on the affected VCS. You cannot use the Basic Conference Initiator to start 3x through 6x conferences using PT724 audio. Occasionally, BAS code corruption results in the MCS Workstation displaying incorrect site information. To clear this problem, drop the site from the conference, then add it again. When you double-click the File Utilities icon, the error message No File Found appears if no files were selected. Ignore the message. Be aware that the MCS Close button closes down the entire configuration process, not just the dialog box currently open. When you add sites to a conference definition, be aware that you must manually switch connection types when you are adding mixed site types. 11

14 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN If, for example, you designate a site as Direct Connect, the Conference Definition window enters the site type as direct connect; if you then add a switched site, the error message Connection type mismatch appears. To avoid this problem, change the connection type before you add the site whose type is different than the previous one. Changes you have made to the conference definition do not take effect until you have saved them. The Display button in the Groups window does not function at this time. Occasionally when you bring up a conference, the MCS Workstation site icon indicates that the site has no video, even though the site status is correct and the site does have video. Documentation The login for the MCS Workstation is: SuperP, SuperP (There must be a space between the comma and the second SuperP. ) The password for the MCS Workstation is: Once you have logged in successfully, you may change the login and password combination. When saving an Event file in text format, the Montage Administrator s Guide (pg. 7-11) states that you can save the file to the default directory, or you can specify your own directory. The Event file can only be saved to the default directory. Miscellaneous The PictureTel Multipoint Controller (PMC) is not supported at Release 5.0C. Be aware that all entry tones will not sound if all sites dial in at the same time; there is a 0.5 second delay between tones. If you use LiveScheduler and above, you must have an RS-232 module with 8-port capability. 12

15 Restrictions and Recommendations When you list a site directory, the sites whose connection type is Internal Inverse Multiplexer are listed as Switched Connected. To correct this problem, include the IMX in the Site Name field as a 1xN site; this prevents the assigning of non-imux sites to higher-rate conferences. PictureTel does not support PT724 audio in a Montage to M-8000 simple cascade link. Entry tones are not supported across cascade links. Use of H.243 features and FECC requires an IR keypad. If you are connecting to the Montage MCS using a Concorde 4500 VCS (revision 6.10), you cannot assign a site name to the VCS that is longer than 15 characters. If you are using FECC with a non-ir camera, there is a delay of up to 5 seconds before the camera responds. FECC only works when Video Switching mode is in Voice Activated state. If the video switching mode is in Director Selected state, FECC is not available to the conference endpoint user. (Video Switching control is located in the bottom left corner of the Conference Director Control Functions window.) If you are browsing sites using FECC and you select your own site, you will hear 4 beeping tones, lasting for up to 15 seconds. FECC is disabled while these tones are occuring. The IMUX hardware revision A3 is required for conferences using IMUX. Be aware that the Event window can only track event files for 30 days. After that, the original event files stay in the c:/mcu_prnt directory; subsequent files still accumulate on the MCS but are not accessible through the Event window. To avoid this problem, delete old event files within 30 days. The ACM has been tested using AT&T's FLEXCOM 800 service with no problems observed. 13

16 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Modem Operations At Montage Release 5.0C, PictureTel supports the MultiTech Model MT1432 modem and the Hayes Accura 5300 modem. Note: The Montage ships with the MultiTech Model MT1432 as its default modem. To support the two modem types, PictureTel is supplying a MultiTech modem file and a Hayes modem file. Each file contains the proper initialization string for its modem type. Both the MCS and the MCS Workstation use a modem file. The modem file name is MCS_WS.mdm. The file MCS_WS.mdm on the MCS, by default, contains the MultiTech initialization string. The file MCS_WS.mdm on the MCS Workstation, by default, contains the Hayes initialization string. Using the Modem File on the MCS To set up the proper modem file on the MCS, do either Procedure A or Procedure B: A) If you wish to use the MultiTech modem, do nothing: the default is set for MultiTech. B) If you wish to use the Hayes modem, you must rename the modem files. Type the following commands at the OS/2 system prompt: 1. cd qm 2. copy mcs_ws.mdm multitch.mdm 3. copy hayes.mdm mcs_ws.mdm Notes: You must reboot the MCS after renaming the files. Do not delete modem files. If you need to revert to the MultiTech modem, reverse the above procedure. 14

17 Modem Operations Using the Modem File on the MCS Workstation To set up the proper modem file on the MCS Workstation, do either Procedure A or Procedure B: A) If you wish to use the Hayes modem, do nothing; the default is set for Hayes. B) If you wish to use the MultiTech modem, do the following at the PictureTel Workstation window: 1. Select Settings from the pulldown menu. 2. Select Workstation. 3. Select multitech.mdm from the Modem Command File pulldown menu. 4. Click OK. 15

18 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Physical Configuration Guidelines This section presents guidelines that you should use when you are physically configuring either a single or dual network bus Montage. Single Bus Montage Following are some guidelines for configuring a single network bus to the Montage. 1. Insert all BPU modules together, starting from the end of the chassis closest to the CPU. 2. Insert the VPU, ACM, and IMPU modules in the slots adjacent to the BPU(s), continuing to work away from the CPU side of the chassis. These modules are now easily reached by the BPU network bus cable. T I P If you think you ll need extra slots in the future, leave some empty slots between the BPUs and the VPU, ACM, and IMPU modules. Note: Do not connect the BPU network bus cable to the IMPU module. 3. Insert any network interface modules (Quad BRI, T1, E1, RS-366, V.35/RS-449/X.21) adjacent to the VPU, ACM, or IMPU modules you have installed, continuing to work away from the CPU side of the chassis. 4. Insert the RS-232 module at the end of the chassis opposite from the BPU(s). It s best to keep the RS-232 octacable away from the other modules to prevent tangling and to keep the contents of the chassis from being obscured. 16

19 Physical Configuration Guidelines Dual Bus Montage Following are some guidelines for configuring a dual network bus to the Montage. 1. In the Module Configuration dialog box, choose which network bus each of the following connects to: BPU E1 IMPU Quad BRI T1 F F.Y.I. Y I Install the modules by working from the middle of the chassis outward from either side. 2. Insert the BPU modules in the middle slots, where Network Bus 1 and Network Bus 2 meet. 3. Insert the VPU, ACM, and IMPU modules in the slots adjacent to the BPU(s), working outward from either side. 4. Insert the other modules in the outer slots on either side. Notes: You do not have to install an equal number of modules on each bus. If you connect a module to a new network bus, make sure the I/O address designates the correct bus. You must connect at least one BPU to each network bus. 17

20 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Software Installation This section provides procedures for updating your MCS and MCS Workstation software. Topics include: Software Media MCS Base Operating System Software Software Version 5.0C Installation Procedure Chassis Software Option Software MCS Workstation Software Cautions Before you install software, make sure you back up the MCS software including your databases to tape, as described in the Release 3.2C or 4.1B version of the Montage Administration Guide. During the software installation, you must remove the software installation diskette when the monitor displays the message to reboot. Failure to do so results in disk error message. If you need to recover the previous version of MCS software, use the original tape utilities and restore the MCS software from tape. Software Media The following MCS software media are shipped with this software release: MCS Application Software: Disks 1 5 MCS Base Operating System Rev. B1 (tape) MCS Boot Disk Rev. B - Disks 1 2 You use the boot disks when backing up and restoring the MCS software, as described in the Montage Administration Guide. MCS Upgrade Tape Utilities Rev. B You use this diskette to upgrade an MCS from software version 2.x or 3.x to version 5.0C. MCS Workstation User Interface: Disks

21 Software Installation Chassis software diskette MCS options diskettes H.243 cascading H.243 chair control G.728 IMUX KG encryption PT724 SG4 MCS Base Operating System Software If your MCS software is a version number less than 5.0C, you must upgrade your MCS operating system before you install MCS software version 5.0C. If version 5.0 software is already installed on the MCS, skip this procedure. This procedure does not change the MCS databases. Note: When you are upgrading a Montage 530 from 4.1 software to 5.0C, you must format and initialize the system before installing the 5.0C software. Cautions If version 5.0C software is already installed on the MCS, do not follow this procedure. When you upgrade to Release 5.0C from a previous release, you must turn on Bit 6 within the system parameters (by setting the last bit to a value of 1) to ensure that FECC and H.243 work properly. Turning this bit on, however, causes the S4000 version 3.0P.03 to hang. 19

22 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN To upgrade or reinstall the MCS base operating system, follow these steps: 1. Confirm that you have a full, verified backup tape of the current system. 2. Confirm that no conferences are taking place or are scheduled to begin for several hours. 3. Insert the MCS Upgrade Tape Utilities Rev. B diskette into the diskette drive. 4. Insert the MCS Base Operating System Rev. B1 tape cassette into the tape drive. 5. Reboot the MCS by pressing the Reset button. 6. Read and follow the displayed instructions. 7. After completing the on-screen procedures, remove the diskette and the tape from their drives. This completes the operating system portion of the upgrade. Go on to the next procedure, Software Version 5.0C Installation Procedure. Cautions Do not reboot the MCS. At the end of the 5.0C installation process, you must answer N to the prompt to delete the existing database if you wish to keep the database. 20

23 Software Installation Software Version 5.0C Installation Procedure Perform this procedure under these conditions: After upgrading or reinstalling the MCS base operating system When upgrading from software release 4.x To install the software version 5.0C, follow these steps, always pressing Enter after typing a command: 1. Insert MCS Application Software - Disk 1 in the diskette drive. 2. Press Ctrl+Esc. You see the Task List menu. 3. Select the Workplace Shell by pressing or. 4. You see a Workplace Shell window with the C:\ prompt. 5. Press Enter, and then type A: to get an A:\ prompt. 6. Maximize the window by pressing Alt, and then pressing x. 7. Type the following command at the A:\ prompt in the Workplace Shell window: A:INSTALL 8. Read and follow the displayed instructions. The MCS reboots and begins to bind the database and software. Caution The binding process takes approximately one-half hour to complete, and the monitor does not always show binding activity. Do not attempt to reboot while the MCS is in this state (while the binding is taking place); if you do, you must reinstall the upgrade from the beginning. The MCS software will automatically initialize when the binding is complete. 21

24 SOFTWARE VERSION 5.0C RELEASE BULLETIN Chassis Software To install MCS chassis software, use the following procedure, always pressing Enter after typing a command. Cautions Install the chassis software before you install the option software. Make sure the chassis software matches your MCS chassis type. You do not need to load the chassis software if you have saved the database. Only load the chassis software on a new installation, not on an upgrade. Option Software 1. Insert the chassis diskette into the MCS diskette drive. 2. Type A:INSTALL at the command prompt. 3. Read and follow the displayed instructions. Cautions Install the chassis software before you install the optional software. You do not need to load the chassis software if you have saved the database. Only load the chassis software on a new installation, not on an upgrade. To install optional software, perform these steps, always pressing Enter after typing a command: 1. Insert an option diskette into the MCS diskette drive. 2. Type A:INSTALL at the command prompt. 3. Read and follow the displayed instructions. 22

25 Software Installation MCS Workstation Software To install new MCS workstation application software, follow these steps from Program Manager on your MCS workstation. Caution Before you install the MCS workstation software, make sure you back up the configuration files, as described in the Administration Guide. 1. Make a copy of the Workstation User Interface diskettes, and then write-protect both the original diskettes and the copies. Store the original disks in a safe place. 2. Insert the copy of Disk 1 into the diskette drive. 3. Choose File» Run. You see the Run dialog box. 4. Type the following command: A:SETUP 5. Click OK. You see the Copying initialization files message in the Setup dialog box. 6. Read and follow the displayed instructions. Note: Make sure that the date and time of the MCS workstation are accurate. See your Windows documentation for instructions. 23

26 Documentation Change Pages Documentation Change Pages This version of Montage includes an improved backup and restore utility, BackMaster 2.0, that is documented in the following pages. These change pages replace the existing Backing Up and Restoring Software chapter of the Montage Administration Guide and the Montage Servicing Guide. Please copy and distribute this section of the Release Bulletin so that each copy of your site s manuals contains a copy of the new backup procedures. Caution Before you run BackMaster 2.0 for the first time, you must perform the procedure below to correctly configure the bridge s tape drive. 1. On the bridge, switch to the Workplace Shell window. a. Press Ctrl+Esc. The Window List window opens. b. Use the arrow keys to highlight Workplace Shell. c. Press Enter. The Workplace Shell window opens. 2. Change directories to \BACKMAST. In the workplace shell window, enter: cd \backmast 3. Delete the temporary tape drive configuration file. Enter: del backmast.ini 4. Open the BackMaster Configuration Options screen. Enter: start backmast 24

27 Documentation Change Pages The main BackMaster window opens and then the Configuration Options screen is displayed. 5. Select the corrrect tape drive. Press Tab until the Selected Device field is active. Use the arrow keys to scroll through the list of supported tape drives until your bridge s tape drive is displayed. This table shows the tape drives the bridge may use. Bridge Tape drive label Menu selection PictureTel Prism Travan Colorado T1000 Montage Colorado 350 Colorado Jumbo 350 Colorado 250 Colorado Jumbo 250 Colorado 120 or unlabeled Colorado 120 When the correct tape drive is displayed, activate OK. 6. Close the Configuration Options screen. Press Alt+F4. 7. Either press Alt+F4 to close BackMaster or go ahead and use it to perform a backup or other tape operation. 25

28

29 Backing Up and Restoring Software

30 This chapter introduces the procedures you ll use to back up and restore the: MCS operating system, database, and applications software using BackMaster MCS database using DB2/2 tools MCS Workstation configuration files using DOS tools

31 9 Backing Up and Restoring Software Backing up the software on a bridge is a necessary and routine task that s often neglected. However, it s important to do it regularly and well to ensure that you can quickly recover from any type of bridge malfunction or other problem such as these examples: Some of the software (either the operating system or the applications software) has been corrupted A software upgrade has been aborted Hard drive failure The database has been incorrectly modified 1

32 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE Overview: What, When, and How You need to perform two types of backups in order to protect the different types of programs and data on the bridge and to minimize the amount of time you spend performing the task. These two types of backup procedures complement each other; they do not replace each other. You need to perform both to protect the bridge and its data. A full image backup creates a copy of everything on the MCS s hard drive: the operating system. A database backup creates a copy of all the videoconferencing information in the MCS database: the system configuration, users, groups, conferences, sites, and so on. This table compares the two types of backups. How full image and database backups compare Type of backup What is protected When to perform How long it takes Full image backup on tape Operating system Applications software MCS database All support files Whenever there is a change in the software (an upgrade, for example), or once a month, whichever is more often. About two hours (although it will take longer if you need to format a tape cartridge, have a slow tape drive, or have an especially large database). Database backup on diskettes MCS database Whenever the MCS database changes, or weekly, whichever is more often. Depends on the size of the database, but usually less than a quarter hour. In each case, adjust the frequency guidelines to fit your situation. For example, if your bridge is an important link in a communications network, you probably should back up more often to protect the bridge s log and accounting files. Software tools PictureTel bridges are delivered with BackMaster, a commercial backup utility program. The instructions in this chapter are written for BackMaster 2.0, which has been delivered with MCS software 2

33 Overview: What, When, and How and systems shipped since late If you are using an older version of software, follow the instructions in the original documentation set. Note: Because most bridges do not have a mouse installed, keystroke commands are given for each BackMaster procedure in this document. If you have installed a mouse, use the standard click or double click conventions to make selections and to execute commands. F F.Y.I. Y I For more information on BackMaster, contact its publisher: MSR Development 4407 Manchester Ave. #104 Encinitas, CA Supplies To perform any backup procedure, you need media. In most cases, you ll use a single tape cartridge for a full image backup and 1-3 diskettes for a database backup. For tape backups, you must match the tape cartridge to the type of tape drive in your bridge. Most tape drives display their model or supported format clearly on their front panel or door. You can also use the table below, which lists the types of drives used in PictureTel bridges and the supported tape format. PictureTel bridge tape drive formats Bridge PictureTel Prism Tape drive label Travan (indicates a Colorado T1000 tape drive) Tape cartridge format QIC-80 Travan 3

34 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE PictureTel bridge tape drive formats Bridge Tape drive label Tape cartridge format Montage Colorado 350 QIC-80 or QIC-80 XL Colorado 250 Colorado 120 (may be unlabeled) QIC-80 QIC-40 All diskette drives in all bridges use IBM format high-density 3.5 inch diskettes. T I P Try to use new media for backups. Used media can be reformatted and reused, but media that is reused tends to be more prone to failure than new media. Formatting Before either a tape cartridge or a diskette can be used, it must be formatted. Formatting prepares the tape or diskette so that the drive can write information to it. You can purchase pre-formatted diskettes and tapes, which eliminates this preparatory step (formatting a tape cartridge can take two hours or more). If you elect to reuse tapes or diskettes that have information on them or you purchase new but unformatted media, you must format them to prepare the media for the new information. Diskettes You can format a diskette on either a bridge or a PC, such as the Workstation PC. To format a diskette: 1. Insert the diskette into a drive on either a bridge or an IBM-compatible personal computer, such as a Workstation PC. 2. Type the format command. On a PC, at a DOS prompt, enter: format a: /u 4

35 Overview: What, When, and How or On a bridge, in a Workplace Shell window at a shell prompt, enter: \os2\format a: 3. Enter a volume label. The program asks if you want to enter an (optional) volume label. It s a good idea to use a volume label to quickly identify diskettes belonging to a particular backup set. 4. After the diskette is formatted, you can continue to format more diskettes or exit. A prompt is displayed that asks if you want to format additional diskettes. If you need to format more diskettes, type Y. You re prompted to swap diskette. To exit, type N. Tape Cartridges To format a tape cartridge: 1. On the bridge, in a Workplace Shell window, change directories to the BackMaster install directory. Enter: cd \backmast 2. Run the BackMaster program. Enter: start backmast The main BackMaster window opens. 3. Activate the Format tape command. Press Alt+U to pull down the Utilities menu and then press Ctrl+F to select Format tape. 5

36 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE The Format Tape window opens. 4. Enter a name for the tape (optional). The cursor is in the Name field. Highlight Untitled and then type a name for this backup tape (typically a date). 5. Start the format operation. Press Alt+F to activate Format. A status window opens and displays the progress of the format. 6

37 Backing Up the MCS and its Database Backing Up the MCS and its Database This section explains two ways to perform a full image backup that copies the MCS operating system, application software, and database to tape and tells how to back up only the MCS database to diskettes. Full Image Backup There are two methods you can use to create a full image backup of everything on the MCS hard drive: Run BackMaster in single user mode, automatically, with the bridge offline. Run BackMaster interactively under the OS/2 Presentation Manager while the bridge is online. This method permits conferences to take place while the backup program is running. Backing Up In Single User Mode To perform a full image backup in single user mode: 1. Pick a time when no conferences are taking place and none are scheduled for at least two hours. 2. Insert a blank, formatted tape cartridge into the bridge s tape drive. 3. Start the backup program. On the bridge, in a Workplace Shell window at a shell prompt, enter: BACKUP This command runs a batch file that reboots the MCS, uses BackMaster to copy the entire contents of the hard disk to tape, and then verifies the data on the tape matches the data on the hard drive. When the backup is complete, a prompt to reboot the system is displayed. Note: If you see error messages before the backup is complete, correct the problem and start the procedure again. 4. Reboot the MCS by pressing the Reset button to return to normal operation. 7

38 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE 5. Remove the tape from the drive and label the cartridge. T I P Many sites keep their backup tapes stored away from the bridge because there s no security in keeping both tapes and bridge in the same room; both can be destroyed by the same accident. Backing Up Using the Presentation Manager Interface To perform a full image backup using the OS/2 Presentation Manager: 1. Pick a time when the conferencing load will be light for at least two hours. 2. Insert a blank, formatted tape cartridge into the bridge s tape drive. 3. On the bridge, in a Workplace Shell window, change directories to the BackMaster install directory. Enter: cd \backmast 4. Run the BackMaster program. Enter: start backmast The main BackMaster window opens. 5. Confirm that the automatic verify option is active. This makes the backup program double-check the tape it creates to ensure the accuracy of the file on the tape. a. Press Alt+O to pull down the Options menu (press Alt+O) and then press Ctrl+C to select Configuration. The Configuration Options window opens. b. Check the Auto verify enabled checkbox (press Tab to move to the checkbox and then press the spacebar to toggle it). c. Press Alt+O to select OK. The main window reopens. 8

39 Backing Up the MCS and its Database 6. Set the scope of the backup. Press Alt+B to pull down the Backup menu and then press Ctrl+F to select Full. The Drive Selection window opens. 7. Set the included drives. Caution Make sure the DOS compatible checkbox is not checked. Use the arrow keys to highlight the C: drive listing and then press Alt+O. The Backup Full window opens. 8. Start the backup program. Press Alt+S to select Start backup (press Alt+S). The Progress Indicator Display window opens and displays the progress of the backup and the verification. When both operations are complete, the main window reopens. Backing Up the Database to Diskette Whenever you make changes to the MCS database, you should back up the database to diskette. The MCS must be taken offline to back up the database, so make sure you do this at a time when no conferences are taking place. 9

40 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE You need at least three formatted diskettes to perform this procedure. If your database is large, you may need more diskettes. To back up the database to diskette: 1. On the bridge, in the Workplace Shell, halt the MCS control programs: a. Press Ctrl+Esc. The Window List window opens. b. Use the arrow keys to highlight QM_MAIN.EXE, and then press Enter. The QM_MAIN window opens. c. Press Alt and then C. A warning prompt asks if you want to end the program. Select Yes. The window closes, ending the program. d. Press Ctrl+Esc. The Window List window opens. e. Use the arrow keys to highlight HPU_INI.EXE, and then press Enter. The HPU_INI window opens. f. Press Alt and then C. A warning prompt asks if you want to end the program. Select Yes. The window closes, ending the program. 2. Insert a blank formatted diskette into the diskette drive. 3. Change directories to the \SQLLIB directory. At a shell prompt, enter: cd \sqllib 4. Run the DB2/2 Backup program. At a shell prompt, enter: start recovery The RECOVERY.EXE window opens. 5. Select the database to back up. Highlight QMDB. 6. Open the Backup Database window. 10

41 Backing Up the MCS and its Database Press Alt, then D, and then Enter. The Backup Database window opens. 7. Check the backup parameters. The A: drive and Entire Database are the default settings. 8. Begin the backup. Select Backup. 11

42 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE The Backing Up Database QMDB window opens and a warning prompt is displayed. Press Enter to continue. As files are backed up, their file names are displayed. 9. Respond to the prompts to switch diskettes as needed. Be sure to label each diskette with the number in which it was processed (disk 1 of 3, disk 2 of 3, and so on). When the backup is complete, the Backup Database window opens and a message stating that the operation was successful is displayed. 10. End the DB2/2 Backup program. Select Cancel. The RECOVERY.EXE window opens. 11. Close the window. Press Alt, then, and then C. The Workplace Shell window opens. 12. Press the Reset button to reboot the MCS to resume normal operation. 12

43 Restoring Software or Data to an MCS Restoring Software or Data to an MCS You ll restore a full image backup from tape to recover from large mistakes or equipment failures. Use backups of the database on diskettes to recover from minor problems, such as when the bridge has been configured improperly or some information has been deleted from the database by mistake. After a tape restore, you re likely to also restore a database backup. You ll use both backups because the tape backup provides a baseline that is updated by restoring the most recent backup of the database. Restoring a System From Tape If the MCS operating system, application software, or database becomes corrupted or you have problems with the MCS hard drive, you can perform a full restoration of the system from a backup tape. To do this, you must have the bridge s boot diskettes. Before you begin this procedure, make sure that MCS Boot Diskettes are not write-protected. T I P You also have the option, if you use BackMaster s Presentation Manager interface, of selectively restoring just some files or directories from a full backup tape. You can elect to do this if you have identified a problem as not affecting the entire system for instance, if a directory or a set of files has been erased or corrupted. To perform this procedure, invoke BackMaster at a system prompt by entering these two commands: cd \backmast start backmast Then refer to BackMaster s online help for instruction on the Restore menu s options. Remember that to get the bridge to the same status it was in before the problem occurred, you may also have to restore a copy of the database from diskettes if the database backup was created more recently than the full image backup. 13

44 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE T I P Although it is an optional step, it is strongly recommended that you format the MCS hard disk before you restore a full image tape. This provides a clean hard drive for the restoration and can eliminate some types of hard drive errors. However, if you re very sure that your problem was not caused by a hard drive problem, you can simply overwrite the MCS s existing software with the contents of the backup tape. If you elect to do this, skip the Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Disk procedure. Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Disk To partition and format the MCS hard disk: 1. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive. 2. Press the Reset button to reboot the MCS. After the bridge performs its startup diagnostics, an A:> system prompt is displayed. 3. Insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive. 4. Partition the disk. a. Enter: fdisk b. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive. c. Reboot the MCS. d. When the A: prompt is displayed, insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive. 5. Format the hard disk. a. Enter: format A warning message is displayed, saying that the procedure deletes all data and asking if you want to continue. b. Press Y. A message is displayed when the format progam is done. 14

45 Restoring Software or Data to an MCS c. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive. Enter: swap A prompt to reboot the system is displayed. The procedure is complete. Restoring a Full Image Backup from Tape To restore from tape, you must have both MCS Boot Disks. Then, follow these instructions: 1. Make sure that MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 is not write protected (the write protect slide should cover the write protect hole). 2. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 into the diskette drive. 3. If you did not format the hard drive, enter: swap. A prompt to reboot the system is displayed. 4. Press the Reset button to reboot the MCS. When the A: prompt is displayed, insert MCS Boot Disk 2 of 2 in the diskette drive. 5. Restore the most recent backup tape: Insert the backup tape into the tape drive. Enter: bmrest The BackMaster Configuration window opens: 15

46 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE The keys that you use to navigate and to select options are listed on the bottom of the screen. 6. Set the restore parameters. a. If the highlight is not in the Restore to field, press Tab to move it to the Restore to field. Use the arrow keys to highlight C:. b. Press Tab to move the cursor to the Overwrite Options field. Use the arrow keys to highlight Always. c. Press Tab to move the cursor to the Restore from field. Use the arrow keys to highlight your bridge s tape drive. Bridge PictureTel Prism Tape drive label Travan Restore from menu selection Colorado T1000 Montage Colorado 350 Colorado Jumbo 350 Colorado 250 Colorado 120 or unlabeled Colorado Jumbo 250 Colorado 120 d. When all settings are correct, press Enter. The Volume to Restore window opens. e. Press Enter to accept the default setting. The BackMaster window reopens and a directory tree of the data on the backup tape is displayed. f. Press the space bar. An F is displayed in front of the +\. This selects all files on the tape. 16

47 Restoring Software or Data to an MCS 7. Start restoring data. Press F10 to begin the restore process. The Restore in Progress window opens and shows the progress of the program as it reads data from the tape and writes it to the hard drive. The process may take 20 minutes or longer. When the restore operation is complete, a completion message is displayed and the tape activity indicator light goes off. Select OK to acknowledge the completion message. The BackMaster Configuration window reopens. 8. Quit the restore program. Press F3 to exit BackMaster. The A:\ prompt is displayed. 9. Finish the procedure. a. Insert MCS Boot Disk 1 of 2 in the diskette drive. b. Enter: noswap A prompt to reboot the system is displayed. c. Remove the tape and diskette from the drives and press the Reset button. After the MCS reboots, the system begins operating using the database information from the backup tape. If the system does not start operating, repeat the restore process beginning with Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Disk on page 14. If the system does not begin operating correctly after the second restore, contact PictureTel Technical Support at , or, within the United States, Note: If you have database backup diskettes that were created more recently than the tape, restore the database by performing the procedure in the section Restoring a Database from Diskettes on page

48 BACKING UP AND RESTORING SOFTWARE Restoring a Database from Diskettes Caution The restoration process cannot copy a database from one software version into a different version, because the database structure changes to reflect the new software s capabilities. Therefore, you must take care to always restore a database to the same software version that created it. To restore the MCS database from diskettes: 1. On the bridge, in the Workplace Shell, halt the MCS control programs: a. Press Ctrl+Esc. The Window List window opens. b. Use the arrow keys to highlight QM_MAIN.EXE, and then press Enter. The QM_MAIN window opens. c. Press Alt and then C. A warning prompt asks if you want to end the program. Select Yes. The window closes, ending the program. d. Press Ctrl+Esc. The Window List window opens. e. Use the arrow keys to highlight HPU_INI.EXE, and then press Enter. The HPU_INI window opens. f. Press Alt and then C. A warning prompt asks if you want to end the program. Select Yes. The window closes, ending the program. 2. Insert the first backup diskette in the series into the diskette drive. 3. Change directories to the \SQLLIB directory. At a shell prompt, enter: cd \sqllib 18

49 Restoring Software or Data to an MCS 4. Run the DB2/2 Backup program. At a shell prompt, enter: start recovery The RECOVERY.EXE window opens. 5. Select the database to recover. Highlight QMDB. 6. Open the Recover Into a New Database window. Press Alt, then R, and then Enter. The Recover Into a New Database window opens. 7. Set the restore parameters. a. Type QMDB in the Database field. b. Select A: as the source drive. c. Select C: as the target drive. 8. Start the restore. a. Press Tab until Start is selected, and then press Enter. A message is displayed warning that the database exists and that restoring it deletes all data from the existing database. a. Press Tab until Start is selected, and then press Enter. The Restoring Database QMDB window opens. 19