BCF Hardware Database Handling
BCF Hardware Database Handling
RGR50,
Operating Documentation,
Issue 02
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Table of Contents
This document has 29 pages
Summary of changes..................................................................... 5
List of Figures
Figure 1 Management of the BCF hardware database.......................................6
Figure 2 BSC directory tree................................................................................ 8
Figure 3 Uploading BCF hardware database files to BSC's disks.................... 13
Figure 4 Creating a BCF hardware database................................................... 16
Figure 5 Attaching a hardware database to a BCF...........................................18
Figure 6 Activating a BCF hardware database................................................. 21
Figure 7 Detaching a hardware database.........................................................23
Figure 8 Deleting a BCF hardware database................................................... 25
Figure 9 Erasing BCF's non-volatile memory................................................... 27
Summary of changes
Changes between document issues are cumulative. Therefore, the latest document
issue contains all changes made to previous issues.
Information on PrimeSite BTSs and 2nd generation BTSs has been removed.
BCF hardware database troubleshooting and Glossary have been removed. The
information has been moved to relevant parts of the document.
No changes have been made due to changes in software.
BSC BCFHW
DATABASE
BCF-MMI
RS232/LAN
Abis
BCF
BCF
BCF-MMI
RS232
The BCF hardware database contains an accurate description of the device
configuration of the BCF. The database is stored in the BCF's non-volatile memory.
Databases are managed at the BSC and they are loaded to the BCF when necessary.
BCF hardware database handling is needed particularly when
All BCF hardware database management functions can be operated by using local MML
commands at the BSC site or remote MML commands, for example, at the NMS. The
command group EV is used for handling the BCF hardware database. The MML program
used for the BCF hardware database handling is BCF Hardware Database Handling
MML (EV command group).
The BCF hardware database handling uses the operating system, the man-machine
interface system, the I/O system, the file system services, and cellular network
maintenance services. Abis interface is used for communication between the BSC and
the BCF.
These instructions concentrate on the handling of BCF hardware database only. Issues
dealing with BCF software handling are discussed in BCF Software Handling.
Related topics
The BCF hardware configuration is controlled in the databases in the BSC. There is one
subdirectory in the BSC's disks for all the BCF hardware databases of the BSS
(/BCF_PACK/HWDATA).
Refer to figure BSC directory tree for information on the directory structure.
ROOT
• the maximum number of BCFs created in a BSC depends on the BSC configuration
(for more information, see Product Description of base station Controller BSC2i,
BSCi and Product Description of base station Controller BSC3i.)
• the maximum number of hardware databases created in a BSC is 256
• the maximum size of a hardware database file is 100 kb.
At any one time there can be only one BCF hardware database management command
that is run in the BSC's OMU, but one command can handle several BCFs at the same
time.
There can be 16 parallel BCF hardware database download operations at the same time.
It is possible to load the same database to several BCFs as a background operation.
Different databases can be loaded parallel to several BCFs during, for example, BSS
system restart.
There can be only one BCF hardware database upload operation at a time.
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
The BSC supports direct connection from the BCF-MMI PC to the BSC's disks, since
hardware database uploading and downloading is implemented in the BSC. The BCF
Remote MMI is an application software that offers an RS232 interface to the BCF-MMI at
the BSC site. From the NMS to the BSC, Remote MMI connection is offered over the
X.25/LAN. The connection between MMI-PC and NMS is based on LAN. For further
information, see BCF Remote MMI.
Further information
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
4.1 Steps
1 Check that the required BCF hardware database file or files are located on the BSC's
disks (in the directory: /BCF_PACK/HWDATA).
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW J DB
DBID: J
NAME: BOMNI1 PAS - - SW
EXT: 067 RAM
ACT J
BCFHWDB:
B SW J DB
DBID:
NAME: BOMNI2 A SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVU: <numberofBCF>:
NAME=<filename>,
EXT=<fileextension>,
DBID=<databaseid>:
[<uploadmode>];
Example:
EVU:1:NAME=BOMNI2,EXT=068;
If the command execution was not successful, consult the instructions in section
Unexpected outcome.
• the BSC's OMU is in the normal working state (WO-EX) (the USI command).
• both of the BSC's disks are in the normal working state (WO-BU) (the ISI
command).
• the BCF object has been created in the BSDATA (the EEI command).
• the new BCF hardware database is located in the HWDATA subdirectory on the
BSC's disks in DX 200 format (the IWX command).
Expected outcome
The BCF hardware database creation is successful.
Unexpected outcome
1. If the error code is Error in physical file inquiry, use the ISI command to check that
both BSC's disks are in working state. Correct the situation and try the creation
again.
ZISI::WDU;
You can also use the IWX command to check that the files are located in the
directory /BCF_PACK/HWDATA on both BSC's disks.
ZIWX::WS,NODEF:BCF_PACK,HWDATA:%,%;
If the files are not found, copy the files in the directory on both BSC's disks with the
IWY and IBC commands.
2. If the error code is File locking failed, the database is created successfully,
but the files included in it are not locked. In such a case, you can delete the created
database with the EVD command and try to create it again, if required.
3. If the error code is Database already created, the BCF hardware database is
already defined. In such a case, give the database creation command again but
change the database ID. If there is no attachment to that database, it is possible to
delete the old one with the EVD and to try the creation again.
4. If the error code is Files are already locked to another database,
check the files with the EVL command. Delete the database in which the files are
included if necessary with the EVD command. Try the creation again.
Steps
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW J DB
DBID: J
NAME: BOMNI1 PAS - - SW
EXT: 067 RAM
ACT J
BCFHWDB:
B SW J DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2 A SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVC: <databaseid>:
NAME=<filename>,
EXT=<fileextension>;
Example:
EVC:K:NAME=BOMNI2,EXT=068;
A new database has been created.
Further information
The BSC updates also the binary file header according to the file name on the BSC's
disks when creating a new hardware database. So the name also appears when you
want to output the contents of the non-volatile memory with the BCF-MMI program.
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
Further information
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
Steps
1 Check that the BCF has been created and that the passive status is empty (EVO).
Use the EVO command to check that the BCF has been created and that the passive
status is empty.
ZEVO:10;
Where:
ZEVO:<BCF identity>;
You can only attach a created hardware database to the passive status of the BCF.
If there is a passive database, use the EVE command to detach it, if necessary.
For more information, see Detaching a BCF hardware database from a BCF.
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW J DB
DBID: J
NAME: BOMNI1 PAS K - SW
EXT: 067 RAM
ACT J
BCFHWDB:
B SW J DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2 A SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVA: <numberofBCF>:
<databaseid>;
Example:
EVA:1:K;
If the command was not successful, check the error code in General Error Messages
of System.
Correct the situation and try again.
Steps
Expected outcome
BCF hardware database activation is successful.
Unexpected outcome
1. The starting phase of the operation is denied: DOWNLOAD DENIED. Check the info
field. If it says: a) “Unfinished SW operation”, wait until the operation is finished. Then
try the activation again; b) “Load rate”, the load rate of the BCSU is too high. Wait for
a while until the load rate decreases; c) O & M link state”, check the O & M link state
and correct it. The state of the link has to be WO-EX. Begin the activation again.
2. The end phase of the operation is DOWNLOAD STARTED/DOWNLOAD COMPLETED.
Background downloading has failed. Try the activation again.
3. The end phase of the operation is SAVE STARTED/SAVE COMPLETED. The
hardware database saving has failed. Try the activation again.
4. The end phase of the operation is RESET REQUEST SENT. Reset request has
been sent but there is a problem with the resetting of the BCF. The activated
hardware database has been set as active, but has not been taken into use in the
BCF. Try to restart the BCF with the EFR command.
5. The BCF site does not recover back to WO state after resetting. Check if the alarm
7730 (CONFIGURATION OF BCF FAILED) has been set. If it has, the database is
incorrect and you must take the correct database into use. Without any action from
the user, the BCF restarts automatically after ten minutes. If it has not, check the
possible errors and try again.
1 Make sure that there are no local modifications made on the BCF site (EOH).
Use the EOH command to check it in the alarm history or from the non-volatile
memory of the BCF.
ZEOH::NR=7207;
The active status is the status of a hardware database that has been activated
and is in use. It is possible that local modifications have been made using the
BCF-MMI at the BCF site, in which case the locally installed hardware database
is used during BCF restart.
You can select the database to be activated by giving its status. You can also select
the mode of the activation. It is possible to activate the database only in the
management system in the BSC that has no activities to the BCF. In addition, you
can transfer the activated database to the BCF with or without resetting the BCF at
the end. If the database is to be downloaded to the BCF, the downloading is done as
a background operation without disturbing ongoing calls.
You can proceed with the activation operation without unnecessary downloading to
the BCF using the corresponding activation mode parameter in connection with the
activation command. If you request an activation without downloading, the system
updates the activation to the HDCFIL without any actions towards the BCF. During
normal BCF hardware database activation, the system downloads the hardware
database files from the BSC's system disk to the non-volatile memory of the BCF as
a background operation. Only the binary file downloading is required.
The system starts the activation with downloading if the O & M link is in working state
and the BCSU load rate not too high, and if there is no ongoing BCF software
downloading in the BCF.
Disk operations have been optimised so that the first download operation reads the
database file(s) from a disk to the random access memory (RAM) of the BSC's
operation and maintenance unit (OMU). The database files are maintained in the
RAM buffer when the download has been completed. Subsequent download
operations are done directly from the RAM buffer without using disk files.
When the database file or files are successfully transferred to the non-volatile
memory of the BCF, the system updates the activation information in the HDCFIL. If
there already has been an active BCF hardware database and you want to activate a
passive one, the databases are swapped. In other words, the active database
becomes passive and the passive database active.
After the file downloading, the system restarts the BCF with the new hardware
database if you have so commanded with the activation mode parameter. With the
OMU reset, the ongoing calls are not disturbed and only the BCF unit controller is
restarted. In order to deliver the new hardware database to all TRXs, you must use
the SITE reset value in the activation mode parameter. The SITE reset cuts all
ongoing calls. During ongoing operation, you can check the activation phase
information step by step.
The maximum number of simultaneous operations is restricted to 16. In other words,
activations can be started until there are 16 ongoing activations. However, you can
give more than 16 BCFs as input to the EVV command, because the first activations
may end before the last are entered. After the activation with downloading, local
modifications that have been performed on the BCF site are lost. Therefore, it is
recommended that you check local modifications before the activation operation. You
can check the modifications in the alarm history (EOH command). When you have
made local modifications on the BCF site, the alarm 7803 (LOCAL
CONFIGURATION SAVED TO FLASH) is set. In addition, it is possible to compare
the local hardware database and the active hardware database defined in the BSC.
You can check the contents of the non-volatile memory of the BCF by using the BCF
remote MMI.
For further information, see BCF Remote MMI and DE 21/DF 12/DG 26 BTS MMI
User Manual.
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW K DB
DBID: J
NAME: BOMNI1 PAS J K SW
EXT: 067 RAM
ACT K
BCFHWDB:
B SW K DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2 A SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVV: <numberofBCF>:
<databasestatus>:
[<activationmode>];
Example:
EVV:1:PAS:SITE;
If the end result is something else than that the operation has been completed, see
the instructions in section Unexpected outcome for more information.
Use the EEI command to check that the BCF's operational state receives the value
WO.
ZEEI:BCF=10;
Further information
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
Steps
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW K DB
DBID: J
NAME: BOMNI1 PAS - SW
EXT: 067 RAM
ACT K
BCFHWDB:
B SW K DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2 A SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVE: <numberofBCF>:
[<hwdbstatus>|PASdef];
Example:
EVE:1:;
In the detachment process the statuses of the hardware databases can be passive,
active or both active and passive.
3 If the command execution was not successful, check the error code from General Error
Messages of System.
1. If the error code is Physical file(s) not deleted, delete database files
with the IWD command of the I/O system.
2. If the error code is something else, check the error code in General Error Messages
of System, correct the situation and try again.
Further information
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
Steps
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW K DB
DBID:
NAME:
EXT:
PAS - - SW
RAM
ACT K
BCFHWDB:
B SW K DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2
EXT: 068
A SW
FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVD: <databaseid>:
[<deletingmode>];
Example:
EVD:K:DSK;
2 If the status of the deletion was not successful, consult the troubleshooting instructions.
Expected outcome
The BCF's non-volatile memory is erased successfully.
Unexpected outcome
1. Depending on the error, check the condition of the O&M links with the DTI command
and the state of the BCF with the EFO command. Try again when the fault has been
corrected.
Further information
For an overview, see Overview of BCF hardware database handling.
7.1 Steps
1 Make sure that the correct hardware database is found in the BSC and that it is available
for usage after non-volatile memory erasure.
Use the EVR command to erase the contents of the non-volatile memory.
ZEVR:10:ALL;
Where:
ZEVR:<BCF identity>:<erasing mode>;
The erasing mode tells if it is only the hardware database or only the software
build(s) that will be erased, or both.
If you erase the contents of the non-volatile memory, the software build will be
downloaded from the BSC to the BCF during the next BCF restart if an active
database has been defined for that BCF in the BSC. The active database can be
downloaded to the non-volatile memory of the BCF. If the hardware database was in
the non-volatile memory before erasing, the next BCF restart cannot be finished
without an active database. The database must be defined for the BCF either in the
BCF hardware database system or in the BCF software build, which is loaded during
restart. If no active hardware databse is defined, the BCF tries to use the hardware
database that was possibly loaded within the software build.
BSC BTS
BCFHWDB: BCF-HW:
B SW K DB
DBID:
NAME: PAS - - SW
EXT: RAM
ACT K
BCFHWDB: SW DB
DBID: K
NAME: BOMNI2 SW
EXT: 068 FLASH
Commandsyntax:
EVR: <numberofBCF>:
<erasingmode>;
Example:
EVR:1:ALL;
You can check the contents of the non-volatile memory with BCF remote MMI.
This is described in BCF Remote MMI and in DE 21/DF 12/DG 26 BTS MMI User
Manual.
If the erasing was not successful, consult the troubleshooting instructions. See
section Unexpected outcome for more information on the subject.
8.1 Steps
1 Check that both the new and the old database have been created (EVL).
Use the EVL command to check that both the new and the old database have been
created.
ZEVL;
The command has no parameters.
2 Check which BCFs use the old hardware database and check that the databases are of
the same type (EVT).
Use the EVT command to check which BCFs use the old hardware database and
check that the databases are of the same type.
ZEVT:TEST;
Where:
ZEVT:<database ID>;
If it is not successful, check the error code from General Error Messages of System,
correct the situation and try again.