CRS Series 1:1 Modem Redundancy Switches

The Comtech EF Data 1:1 Modem Redundancy Switches are companion products for the following modems:

Their purpose is to continuously monitor a pair of modems in a redundant configuration, so that the unit automatically switches data and IF signals from the failed unit to the standby unit if an equipment failure or undesired traffic condition occurs.

This fully protects traffic paths, and the operator can have increased confidence that equipment failures will not adversely affect system availability.

There are two types of switches. The first type routes data and IF signals at the switch. The CRS-100 and CRS-150 are representative of this type of switching. These switches have individual connectors mirroring the data and IF interfaces available on the modems they support. Operationally, a copy of the Tx and Rx traffic is delivered to the offline modem so that both units see identical traffic signals.

The second type performs IF switching in a switch module and carries out data switching within modems interconnected by a Y-cable. The net result is the same: both modems see the identical Tx and Rx traffic signals permitting the continual comparison of fault status. This approach is used in subsytems with the CRS-170A and CRS-180.

A significant feature of the switches is the Auxiliary Serial connections between the two modems in the pair. The online unit interrogates the standby unit at regular intervals to determine its configuration. If a difference in configuration is detected, the online unit automatically reconfigures the standby unit, so that the configurations are always synchronized. The advantage of this feature is clear: If the standby unit is replaced, it does not have to be reprogrammed to match the online unit - the process is entirely automatic.

Manual and Automatic Switchover

Manual switchover is enabled from the front panel or remote control of the online modem.

Automatic switchover conditions are user-defined by setting two switches at the front of the unit. The user can select Unit Faults only, Unit Faults or Receive Traffic Faults, Unit Faults or Transmit Traffic Faults, or all three. This user-configured feature provides a great deal of flexibility in the operation of the switches.

Operation

Only one modem in the pair (the online unit) is permitted to transmit its IF carrier signal at any one instant. For total security, the offline modem mutes its TX carrier, and the switch provides further isolation by using an RF relay within the unit. Unlike some other 1:1 redundancy systems, which use a passive power combiner for this function (losing approximately 3.5 dB in output power level), the switch does not introduce any attenuation of output signal level.

The supplied G.703 interfaces support the T1, E1, T2, and E2 standards, in both balanced and unbalanced configurations. Support is also provided for 'G.703-like' signals at 512 and 1024 kbps.

Operators do not have to configure the interface type - control signals from the modems perform the selection automatically.

MAP PRICES

There are places on our web site and in our print ads, where the spaces for prices are intentionally left blank. In other instances, the advertised; price is higher than the price you actually pay when you order that item. The reason for this is MAP, or Minimum Advertised Price.

MAP is a voluntarily agreement a retailer enters into with a supplier. According to the agreement, which varies in details from vendor to vendor, the retailer can sell an item for any price they wish, but may not advertise the item for an amount less than the Minimum Advertised Price. These agreements help level the playing field for both the small retailer and the giant retail chain. Retailers agree to MAP contracts because the vendor makes it worthwhile for them to do so. A retailer who abides by the agreement can count on getting first news and early shipments of new products, and generally enjoys a "favored" status.

At Satcom Resources, while we abide by our MAP agreements, we want to make it as easy as possible for you, our customer. Where there is a lower selling price and we can, we will volunteer it -- no need for a nod-and-a-wink or a secret password. At Satcom Resources, our lowest selling price is always what you pay. Some Online Retailers make it difficult to tell you about lower-than-MAP prices. At Satcom Resources, we've set up workarounds. Either we ask you to call, or we will e-mail the price.If you still have any questions about MAP policies, feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@satcomresources.com.