Troubleshooting Overview

V1.0
Course Objectives
To learn about precautions and requirements of
troubleshooting
To learn about methods of troubleshooting
To learn about tools and meters of troubleshooting
Contents
Troubleshooting Overview
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Principles
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Common Troubleshooting Tools and Meters
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Contacting Technical Support
Troubleshooting Procedure
Start
Maintenance personnel find
device faults and alarms
To inform concerned
personnel to perform
troubleshooting
Fault solved?
To inform ZTE
technical personnel
Remote assistance
over phone
Fault solved?
ZTE personnel
solve faults on site.
Device runs properly.
Faults are solved.
End
No
Yes
No
Yes
Troubleshooting Flow
Analyze the failure and find out the failure type
Collect failure information
Determine the failure conditions
Record the troubleshooting process
Remove the failure
Locate the cause of the failure
Fault Location Principles
Principles of fault location
Get rid of the external possible factors
such as broken fiber, switching fault or power problem
and then consider the transmission device problem.
Try as much as possible to locate the faulty station
precisely and locate the faulty cards.
In alarm analysis:
Firstly, analyze the high-level alarms and then the lower-level
alarms.
Usually, the higher-level alarms suppress the lower-level
alarms.
Troubleshooting Principles
When processing device faults, abide by the principle of
Check, Inquire, Think, and Operate.
Check:
Firstly check the device fault symbols carefully, such as fault position,
alarm causes, severity, and harmful degree.
Inquire:
After the fault symbols are observed, inquire the on-site personnel
whether anything directly causes the fault, such as data modification,
file deletion, circuit board replacement, power failure, or lightning strike.
Think:
According to the fault symbols and inquiry and associated with
experiences, make analysis and perform fault location, judge the fault
position and fault causes.
Operate:
After finding the fault position through the previous steps, adopt
appropriate operations to solve the fault, such as modifying
configuration data, and replacing cards.
Contents
Troubleshooting Overview
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Principles
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Common Troubleshooting Tools and Meters
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Contacting Technical Support
Collecting Failure Information Methods
In the case of a failure, the first thing we need to do is
collecting all information related to the failure.
The following summarizes basic methods of how to collect
required information related to a failure:
Check operation logs of related modules.
Use a packet catcher to collect packets.
Perform basic network tests
such as ping, telnet, and trace route.
Check operation logs
including the operation logs of related service, the operating system, and dual
servers.
Check and analyze related alarms.
Perform tests on the actual service.
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Analysis by Observation
Observing the alarm indicator status on the device
Analyze the various types of alarm events and performance data
information on the device and NM
And make sure that the current running time setting of each NE in the
network must be consistent with the time on NM. Otherwise, it may
result that the NE alarms, performance information collection is wrong
and not in time.
Analysis Failure Code
Diagnose software and service failures
Plug in/out Method
When the fault is located on some card, the faults, such as bad
contact or abnormal card status, can be solved by plugging out and
plugging in the cards and external interface connectors.
Note: strictly conform to regulations when plugging in/out cards
lest that cards are damaged due to improper operations.
Fault Location and Troubleshooting (Continue)
NM Test
When the networking , services and fault information are rather
complicated, or special faults with no obvious alarms and performance
information reports, do not appear on the device, use the maintenance
functions provided by NM to perform test, judge fault positions and fault
types.
Loopback that requires no profound analysis on alarms and performance
is a common and most effective way to locate fault positions. However, it
affects services.
Before loopback operation, first determine the NE, card, channel, and direction
because channels that get faulty at the same time have a certain relativity.
When selecting loopback channels, select an NE from several faulty NEs and
select a service channel from several faulty service channels. Perform the
loopback operation on the selected service channel direction by direction and
make analysis
In loopback operation, first divide the service procedure of the faulty service
channel, draw a service routing diagram, list the service source, destination,
traversed NE, occupied channels and timeslot numbers, and then loop segment
by segment to locate faults. After faults are located on an NE, locate the
possibly fault cards by looping at the side of line and tributary. Finally,
combining other processing methods, confirm the faulty cards and replace them.
Fault Location and Troubleshooting (Continue)
Replacement
Replacement means to use a normal part to replace the suspected
abnormal part to perform fault location and fault troubleshooting.
Here the part can be a cable, a card or a device.
Solve the fault on the external transmission device, such as optical
fiber, trunk cable, switch, and power supply device.
If faults occur on the switch or trunk cable, exchange with other normal
channels. If the alarm position changes after exchanging, it indicates that
the external trunk cable or switch is faulty. If the fault remains after
exchanging, the transmission may be faulty.
After the fault is located on a single station, perform troubleshooting on
the cards in this single station.
For example, if an alarm appear on an optical line card in some station, it
is suspected that the sending and receiving optical fiber are inversely
connected. Exchange the two optical fibers. After exchanging, if the alarm
disappears, it indicates that the optical fibers are connected inversely.
Power and grounding troubleshooting
For example, the input power and grounding on some device are
suspected to be faulty, replace a channel of input power and grounding
terminal to solve the fault.
Fault Location and Troubleshooting (Continue)
Configuration Data Analysis
Caused by device configuration changes or maintenance personnels
mistaken operations.
After locating faults on the NE in a single station, we can analyze faults by
querying the current configuration data and NM security logs on the device
The most commonly used method is Data Comparison
Compare the difference between the faulty configuration data (or faulty device)
and the correct configuration data (or normal device)
Configuration Modification
To solve the faults caused by configuration errors after faults are located
on a single station.
Includes card slot configuration, card parameter configuration.
System Simplification Method
Observe the simplest system after removing all the other irrelevant hardware
Notes: Because modifying configuration is rather complicated, it has a high
requirement for maintenance personnel. Therefore, it is applied only to
restore services temporarily when the backup cards are not available, or
applied to locate the pointer adjustment. It is not recommended generally.
Fault Location and Troubleshooting (Continue)
Test by Meter
Test by meter refers to using tools and meters to test the work parameters of the
device quantitatively, which is generally applied to solve the external faults of the
transmission device and the inter-connection fault of other devices.
If the power voltage is too high or too low, use a multi-meter to test the voltage.
If other devices fail to be connected, the device grounding is suspected to be faulty. Use a
multi-meter to test the voltage value between the sending signal ground and the receiving
signal ground of the channel.
If other devices fail to be connected, it is suspected that the interface signal is not
compatible. Observe whether the signal is normal, or whether any exceptional alarms occur
by the signal analysis meter, and then judge the fault causes.
Processing by Experiences
In some special cases, the device card works in an exceptional status, its services
are suspended, and NE communication is faulty due to transient abnormal power
supply, and strong external electro-magnetic interference.
Yet, the configuration data are completely correct. Proved by experiences, in this
case, the faults can be solved and services are restored timely and effectively by
resetting cards, powering on the device again, and re-distributing configuration data.
Summarise
Flexible combination of different methods is recommended when it is hard to
determine whether a failure is a software failure or a hardware failure.
Contents
Troubleshooting Overview
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Principles
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Common Troubleshooting Tools and Meters
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Contacting Technical Support
Common Tools and Meters
Tape
Screwdrivers
Diagonal
pliers
Sharp
nose pliers
Antistatic
wrist strap
Wire
stripper
40 W electrical iron
Crimping
Pliers
IC extractor
fiber-pigtail
jumper
Clamping
pincers
Pliers
Fiber
extractor
Adjustable
wrench
Common Tools and Meters (continue)
Digital
multimeter
Optical power
meter
Other
Instruments
Meters
for
Environment
Monitoring
Optical
attenuator
Usage of Common Meters
Digital Multi-meter
Usually we use a digital multi-meter to test the voltage, so we here
introduce how to measure voltage with a digital multi-meter.
To measure the DC voltage
1. Turn on the multi-meter.
2. Insert the black pen into the COM hole and the red pen into the V/ hole.
3. Set the functional switch to DC voltage position V- Measurement range
and connect the pens to the power (to measure the open-circuit voltage)
or load (to measure load voltage). The polarity of the red-pen-connected
terminal is displayed on the display.
To measure the AC voltage
1. Turn on the multi-meter.
2. Insert the black pen into the COM hole and the red pen into the V/ hole.
3. Set the functional switch to AC voltage position V- Measurement range
and connect the pens to the power or load. When the AC voltage is
measured, the polarity is not displayed.
Usage of Common Meters
PMS-1A-Type Optical Power
Meter
PMS-1A-type optical power meter
is used to measure the
consecutive optical signal power,
displayed by LED.
It has the functions of auto-
measurement range shift, auto-
shutdown, auto-clearing, multi-
wavelength measurement, and
relative power measurement.
The work wavelength of the PMS-
1A-type optical power is 1300 nm,
1310 nm, 1480 nm, 1550 nm for
options.
The measurement ranges from -
40 dBm to +20 dBm (0.1 nW~100
mW). Its measurement accuracy
is 5%.
The probe interface type is FC.
The outline of the PMS-1A-type
optical power meter is shown on
the right side.
Probe interface
LED display
Power switch
Relative measurement
status shift key
Clear key
External power
interface
Wavelength
selection
Unit selection
dBm
Unit selection WATT
Usage of Common Meters
Select measurement
unit
ON/OFF
Select
wavelength
Connect optical source
Select measurement
mode
Relative power measurement
Absolute power measurement
Select measurement
unit
Connect optical source
dBre1; enter into relative
measurement status
dBm key WATT key
dBm key WATT key
Read measurement result
PMS-1A-Type Optical
Power Meter
The operation procedure of
the PMS-1A-type optical
power meter is shown on the
right side.
Usage of Common Meters
PMS-1A-Type Optical Power Meter
Precautions:
Be sure to charge the battery.
Cover the probes with a probe cover before clearing in case
that the light affects the measurement results.
In measurement, be sure to select appropriate wavelength for
measurement in correspondence to different optical interfaces.
Select 1310 nm for I.X, S-X.1, and L-X.1 optical interfaces.
Select 1510 nm for S-X.2, and L-X.2 optical interfaces. X
represents the level of SDH transmission signal (X=1, 4, 16, 64).
While using the meter, be sure to prevent humidity, shock, dust
and heat. Keep the probes and connectors clean.
If the meter is long stored or used in a low temperature, be sure
to place it in a high temperature for a while before using lest
that the meter gets damaged due to freezing.
Usage of Common Meters
YGBERT-2M-Type Bit
Error Analyzer
The YGBERT-2M-type bit
error analyzer is a
portable, handset meter,
used to detect bit errors
and alarms in the PCM
digital transmission
system, optical fiber
communication system,
and digital microwave
communication system.
It can detect 2Mbit/s of
rate level. Its code
pattern generator input
complies with CCITT
G.703 recommendation,
allowing the line
attenuation between 0 dB
- 6 dB.
It can be inserted with
single-bit errors or
periodical bit errors. It
has LED indication of the
signal suspension, AIS,
asynchronization, and bit
errors, and the function of
buzzing alarm.
No signal
AIS
No sync
Bit Error
Start/Stop
Select
Setup
Tx Bit Error
G.821
BE/BER
Power

AIS

/
/
G.821

LED
display
Sending
signal
interface
Receiving
signal
interface
Print
interface
Power
switch
Power-
on/Reset
No input signal alarm
indication
AIS alarm indication
Asynchronization alarm indication
Bit error alarm indication
Incoming/outgoing parameter modification
Meter parameter and status modification
Cursor move
Move/stop meter running
Bit error/bit error rate display
transformation
Display G.821
analysis result
Single-bit error
insertion key
External power
connection interface
Usage of Common Meters
YGBERT-2M-Type Bit Error
Analyzer
The operation procedure of
the YGBERT-2M-type bit
error analyzer is shown as
right chart:
Precautions:
Be sure to charge the battery
in time.
The batter run for 4 hours
after being recharged.
If you perform a 24-hour bit
error test, it is necessary to
use the external power
supply.

2
15
-1 PRBS15

Turn on bit error analyzer

and connect to the device
Set the code patter 2
15
-1
PRBS15
Start test
Preset test time
Stop test
Read test result
Contents
Troubleshooting Overview
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Principles
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Common Troubleshooting Tools and Meters
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Contacting Technical Support
Precautions
Security warning
symbols
Note
Security Symbol Description
Note
Electric shock
Anti-static symbol
Corrosive symbol
Laser Symbol
Flammable Materials prohibited
No smoking
No touching
Security Symbol Description
Danger
Warning
If warning is ignored, it may cause
personnel death or device damages
If warning is ignored, it may cause
personnel death or device damages
If warning is ignored, it may cause
personnel death or device damages
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Be familiar with the following precautions and requirements before you
begin a troubleshooting procedure.
Follow the safety regulations and precautions specified by the operator in
the equipment room during troubleshooting.
Before troubleshooting, back up service data and operation parameters.
During troubleshooting, collect all failure-related data for analyzing and
finding the failure cause, and record useful information in detail, for
example, failure symptoms, version information, and data changes.
After troubleshooting, fill in the troubleshooting log to record all details of
the troubleshooting procedure. Add shift records to the log for the
troubleshooting that can not be completed in a day. Such troubleshooting
may involve different maintenance personnel.
Begin a troubleshooting procedure immediately when a failure occurs. If
you fail to remove a failure, contact your local ZTE office for support.
Frequently update the contact information of your local ZTE office and
paste the latest contact information of your local ZTE office on an eye-
catching place so that you can contact the local office in time in the case of
emergency.
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Be familiar with the following precautions and requirements when you
start a troubleshooting procedure:
Be cautious of grounding and lightning protection and satisfy lightning
specifications for device grounding.
Troubleshooting precautions on optical interfaces
Dust-proof caps for optical interfaces are not available.
Do not stare at optical interfaces directly in case of eyes being harmed.
Troubleshooting precautions on cards
Anti-static measures to prevent device damages.
Be careful while inserting cards.
Troubleshooting precautions on devices
Try not to perform power-off operations to guarantee non-breakable
transmission services after devices are put into use in view of the significance
of the transmission devices in network.
Never perform installation and disassemble power cables when power is on as
it may cause electric sparks or electric arcs, and even cause fire or harm eyes.
Before installation or power cable disassembly, turn off the power.
Contents
Troubleshooting Overview
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Principles
Fault Location and Troubleshooting Methods
Common Troubleshooting Tools and Meters
Troubleshooting Precautions and Requirements
Contacting Technical Support
Contacting Technical Support
In the following cases, contact your local ZTE office for technical support
immediately.
Occurrence of a critical failures, for example, interruption of part or all services
Occurrence of a failure that cannot be removed according to the instructions provided by this
manual
Occurrence of a failure that cannot be removed according to the handling methods you already
know
Occurrence of a failure that cannot be removed according to your troubleshooting experience on
similar failures
Before contact technical support, prepare the following information, which may
be required by ZTE support engineers.
Failure details, including occurrence time, location, and failure symptoms
Log files on the server and the client
Data collected by a packet catcher
Details of the troubleshooting operations you have done
Remote login method, and the contact phone number
You can contact your local ZTE office for the following support:
Field Support
ZTE maintenance engineers go to the field to troubleshoot the failure
Phone Support
ZTE maintenance engineers guide the field engineers to troubleshoot the failure by phone.
Remote Support
ZTE maintenance engineers log in to the system or equipment remotely to troubleshoot the failure.