If a new network path is to be searched for, the network-path search offers a convenient routine for the fully automatic search for and connecting of network paths. The network-path search can be started at different points in the program. The network-path search can be configured in various ways. After performing the network-path search, the results can be evaluated and the found paths can be adjusted. The maximum number of network paths to be searched can be specified in the NET options (FO / TP). Once the desired result has been achieved, the network path can be connected.
Start
The network-path search can be started from several locations.
With the “Routing” button in the “Work order” group in the “NET” tab:
In the switching point form as a menu entry:
In the FO/TP terminator and FO/TP closure forms in the “Network exploration” menu:
The network-path search can also be started in the Workflow Explorer for TP and FO workflows.
Configuration
After starting the network path search, the following dialogue box opens:
1. The start and end points as well as intermediate destinations of the network path or redundant services can be selected. The network path can be searched for fibre optic objects or FM objects.
2. The settings for the network path with fibre optic objects can be defined.
3. The settings for the network path with TP objects can be specified.
4. The search can be started.
5. A log of the network path search is displayed.
6. Window for the network paths found.
re 1)
a) The starting point of the network-path search can be a switching point, a terminator or a closure. The starting point can be selected by from the graphic or by
from the database (here only switching points). If the network-path search was opened using the form for a switching point, terminator or closure, then this point is automatically selected as the starting point.
b)Add intermediate destinations and points to avoid
to the search—these can be switching points, terminators and/or closures. An intermediate destination
is a point that must be present in the network path. A point to be avoided
is excluded from use. The specific selection of the intermediate destination or of the point to be avoided can be made by
from the graphic or by
from the database (here only switching points).
removes an intermediate destination or a point to be avoided from the search. The “Keep order” option determines whether the intermediate destinations may occur in the network path in any order or only in the order of their list position. The positions of intermediate destinations within the list can be changed by drag and drop.
c) A service can be selected to which a redundant path is to be found.
d) The destination point of the search——this can be a switching point, terminator or closure. The destination point can be selected by from the graphic or by
from the database (here only switching points).
Result:
re 2) The settings for fibre optic objects:
a) The number of network paths to be connected. If several network paths are searched, only fibers with a consecutive fiber numbers that are located in the same fiber bundle are used for this.
b) This restricts the search to elements that have the selected network status. All or no clients can be selected.
c) If the checkmark is set, the network-path search ignores breakdowns on the network path.
d) Here, you can enter the desired number of fibers without service that are still to be available in each cable section of the network paths found.
e) This restricts the search to fibers that correspond to the desired fiber type.
f) If the checkmark is set, only connectors with angled-physical-contact connectors are permitted.
g) If the checkmark is set, new splices can be created to make network paths possible. Splicing can always take place at start and destination points, regardless of the selected setting.
h) If the checkmark is set, existing splices can be broken open if one of the fibers at the splices does not run in the path. This allows new network paths to be made possible.
i) This restricts the search to elements that are assigned to the selected client(s). If no client has been selected, no restriction applies to the search. All or no clients can be selected.
j) A work order can be set.
k) If the checkmark is set, switching points can be avoided.
l) For a larger number of searched network paths (see 2a), it is also possible to search across bundles.
re 3) The settings for telephony objects:
a) The number of network paths to be connected. If several network paths are searched for, only wires with a consecutive wire number are used for this purpose.
b) This restricts the search to elements that have the selected network status. Any or no network status can be selected.
c) If the checkmark is set, the network-path search ignores breakdowns on the network path.
d) Here, you can enter the desired number of wires without service that should still be available in each cable section of the network paths found.
e) This restricts the search to wires that correspond to the desired wire type.
f) If the checkmark is set, new splices can be created in order to make network paths possible. Splicing can always take place at start and destination points, regardless of the selected setting.
g) If the checkmark is set, existing splices can be broken open if one of the fibers at the splices does not run in the path. This allows new network paths to be made possible.
h) This restricts the search to elements that are assigned to the selected client(s). If no client has been selected, no restriction applies to the search. All or no clients can be selected.
i) A work order can be set.
j) If the checkmark is set, switching points can be avoided.
re 4) The search for network paths with the selected settings (2 + 3) can be started.
Note
The network-path search only uses fibers/wires, splices, connectors/pins and patches without service that are not assigned to a work order!
Evaluation/result
When a network-path search is started, it can take some time to find a path. There may be no path found with the configurations. As long as the search is active, the magnifying glass moves above the “Start search” button, which now bears the label “Cancel search”. You can end the search prematurely by clicking on it.
In addition, the log area (5) shows which work steps are currently being performed.
No changes can be made to the configurations of the search while the search is active.
The network paths found are then displayed:
1. A path found by the network-path search. This can be opened by clicking on the arrow to further customize it, even while the search continues.
2. Characteristics and metrics of the paths found:
| Start point | The terminator or closure used at the start point. |
| Destination point | The terminator or closure used at the destination point. |
| Points | The number of terminators and closures in the path found. Clicking on the column header sorts the paths according to the number of points they have. |
| Length | The length of the path found. Clicking on the column header sorts the paths according to their length. |
| Accesses | The number of points where a technician has to make connections/splices. This number can change if the path is adjusted. |
| Breaks | The number of splices that must be broken for the new path. This number can change if the path is adjusted. |
| New splices | The number of new splices that must be created for the path. This number can change if the path is adjusted. |
| Attenuation | The calculated attenuation of the new path per wavelength (FO)/frequency (TP). These numbers can change if the path is adjusted. |
3. Clicking on highlights the selected path in the graphic,
removes the path from the network-path search display. The path can be applied via
, which opens a new window for creating the network paths.
4. Clicking on the “Delete all” button removes all found paths of the network search from the display.
5. A new path whose display is still loading.
Customizing paths
1. A terminator or a closure of the path (switching points are only mentioned in the title of the associated terminators/closures and are not listed individually). If it is a terminator, then there are usable connector/pin groups available for the user to choose from. In this case, “incoming” or “outgoing” means that fibers/wires of the preceding or following cable are placed on these connectors/pins, respectively. In addition, in terminators that are not start or destination points, the “Create splices” option is available, which splices fibers/wires without connectors/pins. If “Create splices” is selected between two terminators, then a patch fiber is applied when the path is applied.
2. A cable of the path. The “occupancy” shows the ratio of the number of connected fibers/wires to the number of fibers/wires in the cable section. The selection box contains all usable fiber/wire groups of the cable that the user can choose from. The type of connection of the fibers/wires of the fiber/wire group is shown in parentheses in the preceding/following point. For each of the two types of connection, the following cases can occur independently of one another (for simplification, “nearest point” is used for “preceding point” or “following point”):
| Open | The fiber/wire is not spliced in the nearest point. In the nearest point, the fiber is spliced with a patch fiber that has not been further spliced. In the nearest point, the fiber/wire is placed on a connector/pin without patching. In the nearest point, the fiber/wire is attached to a connector/pin that has been patched with a connector/pin without fibers/wires. |
| Spliced | The fiber/wire is spliced in the nearest point with a fiber/wire of the nearest cable. In the nearest point, the fiber is spliced to a patch fiber that is spliced to a fiber of the nearest cable. |
| To be broken open | The fiber/wire is spliced at the nearest point with a fiber/wire that is not in the nearest cable. In the nearest point, the fiber is spliced with a patch fiber that is spliced with a fiber that is not located in the nearest cable. |
| Patched through | In the nearest point, the fiber/wire is attached to a connector/pin that is patched with a connector/pin whose attached fiber/wire lies in the nearest cable. |
| To be repatched | In the nearest point, the fiber/wire is attached to a connector/pin that is patched with a connector/pin whose attached fiber/wire is not in the nearest cable. |
3. Changes made to the network path can be undone and redone with and
.
4. A technician needs to change something at this point (create a splice or patch).
5. This element (cable/terminator/closure/switching point) has a malfunction (breakdown).
A context menu is opened by right-clicking on a cable/terminator/closure. Here, the form for the element can be opened or the element can be highlighted in the network display.
Note
If the user changes the selection of the connector/pin or fiber/wire groups, the elements connected to them are automatically selected in other cables/points.
Apply path / connect network path
If the network-path search has produced the desired results, the network path can be switched using the button.
1. A work order must be selected for the new network paths. If necessary, a new work order can be created with .
2. A service must be selected. If necessary, a new service can be created with .
3. If the start and/or destination point of the network-path search is a terminator and connectors/pins are used, then patches can be created at the port there. The designation of the port can be specified in the text-input field.
4. The summary once again shows the information about the network path, which was also displayed in the path overview.
5. Splices and patches of the new network paths are assigned to the work order by clicking on . All elements of the network paths are connected with the specified service. This will remove all search results from the display.