Drake SCTeci Ethernet Controller Interface - Manual (Page 11)

Downloading Setup Files from a PC - Files Stored
with the R. L. Drake SCT Control Program
If it is desired to download settings to one or multiple
transcoders from files that have been saved on your PC
using the R. L. Drake SCT Control Program, this may
be done using the SCT Control Program, version 2.3 or
later. It is OK if files were previously saved using an
earlier version, but only version 2.3 or newer can
download via the SCTeci instead of the RS-232 con-
nection. Follow the procedure on the next page.
Using the R. L. Drake SCT Control Program with
the SCTeci
Combining the use of the SCTeci and the R.L. Drake
SCT Control program allows the operator to create
multiple headend files on a PC using the R.L. Drake
SCT Control Program. Then, instead of downloading
these configurations to the SCTs using a local cable
RS-232 connection or an RS-232 connection via a dial-
up modem, the download can be accomplished using
the SCTeci network connection.
It should be noted that when used with the SCTeci
network interface, the SCT Control Program can only
download data to the transcoders . Thus it is not
possible to upload settings via the SCTeci to store
on the PC. A configuration may be copied from a
headend using the control program connected to the
headend via RS-232. After the settings are saved on
the PC, they can be copied to other remote headends
by downloading via a network and the SCTeci.
IMPORTANT: Close any browser connection to the
SCTeci before attempting to download using SCT
Control Program.
Downloading to Transcoders
To download to remote headend(s) from the SCT
Control Program via the SCTeci, proceed as follows.
Remember that you cannot upload current settings
from headends into the SCT Control Program files
using a connection via the SCTeci. You must have
these files already stored on the PC. If you need to
check to see that settings at a remote location are
matching what is in your PC, you can use a simple
browser connection to access the SCTeci and view
each transcoder's settings.
1) If the SCTs to be accessed have already been setup
with a password, it is suggested that you use the
procedure in the 'SCT Password Loading or Reset' on
the next page, or go physically to the equipment to set
any SCT, PS150 or PS151 passwords back to 0,
unless they are needed for RS-232 access protection.
There is no need to have SCT passwords when the
only remote access is via the SCTeci.
2) Use the Drake SCT Control Program from the
CDROM (included with the power supplies for the
transcoders) to setup the headend parameters as you
would do if using a RS-232 interface. If a headend
already has been locally setup and you want to copy
those settings (or possibly start with those settings
and make some edits), you may use the RS-232
connection to upload the headend settings to the SCT
Control Program running on the PC. Then disconnect
the RS-232 cable.
3) Finalize any edits on the PC.
4) Make sure all headends that are going to receive a
download have been connected and set up with a
SCTeci connected to the Internet or LAN.
5) While still in the SCT Control Program, view the
multi transponder display. Click on the 'Download
Parameters to Multiple Transcoders' button.
6) On the next screen that comes up, check all
transcoders that need to receive the download. Then
be sure to check the box that indicates: 'Download
using SCTeci'. After checking this box, click on the
'Download' button.
7) A SCTeci download screen will appear. Entry fields
for IP address, system ID, and password need to be
filled in.
8) Select either HTTP or FTP protocol. In most installa-
tions the HTTP setting must be used. If you know that
any firewalls, routers, etc in line will allow FTP trans-
fers, the FTP selection will be faster. The FTP setting
can usually only be used in installations that do not
have any address translation or firewall devices at the
SCTeci or at the PC browser. If FTP doesn't work,
select the HTTP setting.
9) Press Start to begin the transfer of new settings. If
any of the transcoders indicate a failure to load, repeat
the load operation a second time as certain conditions,
such as the transcoder not being locked to a satellite
signal, occur a second hit may be needed. If this is the
case, repeat this step.
Note: A Display Rack Load Status check box will
appear on screens that display info for multiple
transcoders. This selection is only meaningful when
the FTP setting is used (see paragraph 7 above). A
date and time of the last FTP transfer will be dis-
played. When this box is checked, row 5 will display a
FTP status of OK or FAILED. Refer to page 8 also.
OPERATION (contnued) 11