Compaq EK-ASIP2-OG. D01 - Manual (Page 14)

Product Overview
1–4 AlphaServer Intelligent Peripheral Platform Hardware Owner's Guide
1.3 System Features
This section provides a brief description of the system features of the AlphaServer IP
Platform.
1.3.1 User Interfaces
The AlphaServer IP Platform is designed to work in real-time public networks of
telecommunications service providers. System and network management activities are
performed by means of a separate data communications network rather than the telephony
communications network (for example, voice or signaling). Both graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) and character cell displays are supported, depending on the interfaces provided by the
layered products on the IP Platform.
Command line or character cell displays are used for objects that do not have a GUI, or as a
supplement to those with a GUI. Command line interfaces can be run over a low-speed dial-
up modem with minimal communication protocol support.
1.3.2 Alarm Subsystem
The alarm subsystem of the AlphaServer IP Platform provides alarming functions to the
platform. These functions include the following:
•
Visual indication of an alarmed event
•
Audible indication of an alarmed event
•
Programmable external event notification
•
Diagnostic capability
•
Battery-backup for alarm indicators
•
Programmable software interface with interrupt capability
•
Dry contacts for remote monitoring of alarms
The alarm subsystem is comprised of two physical modules: an alarm control module that
resides on the PCI bus, and an alarm indicator panel, which contains all of the visual and
audible indicators.
1.3.3 Maintainability
All configurations are designed with front access for all user devices contained in the
AlphaServer 1000A system, the ISA bus expansion chassis, and the modular storage shelf
BA35x-Sx subsystem. All nonuser devices have rear access.
The AlphaServer 1000A system and the ISA bus expansion chassis are slide mounted for ease
of maintenance.
The BA35x-Sx application storage disks are hot-swappable.
1.3.4 Reliability
Each Compaq Computer Corporation component of this system will function reliably over
time as long as the hardware options used are not altered. All of the Compaq options used in
the design of this system meet Compaq Computer Corporation standards for reliability.
However, the reliability of the equipment supplied by other vendors is determined by the
manufacturer of each device.