Overview of the Zelax GM-1GB Multiplexer
After the advent of not-so-censored proverbs and sayings about Polycoms® (multiplexers used on L2 in our network), there was a realization that it would not hurt to replace them with something that was less inclined to use folklore in support.
Caution! Under the cut a lot of pictures!
Two multiplexers were chosen for the tests:
1. Qtech QBM-P8M1GDS2 v1
2. Zelax GM-1GB-8E1
Qtech testing ended quite quickly, because there was no manual on the software CD + for management, a proprietary utility QNMS was needed + the chassis with the stack of multiplexers occupied 3 units in a rack.
Zelax also had an intuitive interface, which simplified the diagnosis of problems for support, and did not require time for additional training.
Web interface:
The header shows the front panel of the multiplexer (see below for an indication), below is a list of neighboring multiplexers (auto-detection).
You can see the status of Ethernet, E1, and optic ports.
In the state of the optical ports, the type of SFP module and serial number are automatically detected, which also simplifies life for reporting.
Configuring E1 ports:
Configuring Gigabit Ethernet;
Well, the general settings of the multiplexer:
In the Configuration tab, you can make a backup, load a backup, restore the factory settings, as well as save the settings and statistics to a file.
To configure Zelax, it was only necessary to register IP and VLAN ( on connected switches, VLAN should be forwarded ONLY with uplink, otherwise a ring appears), indicate the “eye” (choice A or B), and set the baud rate for Ethernet ports. By the way, if there is 100 Mbps on one side and 1000 Mbps on the other side, then Ethernet will not rise.
Indication:
the State indicator in the upper left corner is
green - everything is perfectly
red - an error on any port
OPTICAL ports have two indicators LNK and LOS
LNK blinks if there is an optical signal. In its absence - repaid.
LOS lights up for a short time when errors occur. In the absence of an optical signal - off.
E1 port indication
green - normal
flashing green - test mode
red - LOS signal detected
flashing red - AIS signal is detected
Gigabit Ethernet indication LNK
electric ports are
on - Link signal is installed on the
LNK port is blinking -
TST data is being transmitted -
optical ports are not used
LNK is blinking - Link
LOS signal is on - when the optical signal is missing, the
LOS signal is extinguished - if there is an optical signal Signal
Management
LNK port is on - Link
100 signal is on - 100 Mb / s speed 100
is off - 10 Mb / s speed
The main advantages of Zelax's:
- Point-to-point and point-to-point connections are possible, which allows put instead of two Polycoms one Zelax
- intuitive interface
- the main thing, for which, in fact, we thought about the issue of replacement - a significant reduction in losses.
For comparison, there are two pictures:
Polycom monitoring (though not a very good pink color, but the number of optical link drops is visible below):
monitoring of the tested Zelax (there’s already an adequate green color for itself):
Cons:
- unlike Polycom, which has dimensions 14x11x3.5, occupies one unit in the rack.
- on the second test pair, for some reason Ethernet did not rise in the “eye” A, the change of the “eye” to B. helped
- there is no telnet control
Caution! Under the cut a lot of pictures!
Two multiplexers were chosen for the tests:
1. Qtech QBM-P8M1GDS2 v1
2. Zelax GM-1GB-8E1
Qtech testing ended quite quickly, because there was no manual on the software CD + for management, a proprietary utility QNMS was needed + the chassis with the stack of multiplexers occupied 3 units in a rack.
Zelax also had an intuitive interface, which simplified the diagnosis of problems for support, and did not require time for additional training.
Web interface:
The header shows the front panel of the multiplexer (see below for an indication), below is a list of neighboring multiplexers (auto-detection).
You can see the status of Ethernet, E1, and optic ports.
In the state of the optical ports, the type of SFP module and serial number are automatically detected, which also simplifies life for reporting.
Configuring E1 ports:
Configuring Gigabit Ethernet;
Well, the general settings of the multiplexer:
In the Configuration tab, you can make a backup, load a backup, restore the factory settings, as well as save the settings and statistics to a file.
To configure Zelax, it was only necessary to register IP and VLAN ( on connected switches, VLAN should be forwarded ONLY with uplink, otherwise a ring appears), indicate the “eye” (choice A or B), and set the baud rate for Ethernet ports. By the way, if there is 100 Mbps on one side and 1000 Mbps on the other side, then Ethernet will not rise.
Indication:
the State indicator in the upper left corner is
green - everything is perfectly
red - an error on any port
OPTICAL ports have two indicators LNK and LOS
LNK blinks if there is an optical signal. In its absence - repaid.
LOS lights up for a short time when errors occur. In the absence of an optical signal - off.
E1 port indication
green - normal
flashing green - test mode
red - LOS signal detected
flashing red - AIS signal is detected
Gigabit Ethernet indication LNK
electric ports are
on - Link signal is installed on the
LNK port is blinking -
TST data is being transmitted -
optical ports are not used
LNK is blinking - Link
LOS signal is on - when the optical signal is missing, the
LOS signal is extinguished - if there is an optical signal Signal
Management
LNK port is on - Link
100 signal is on - 100 Mb / s speed 100
is off - 10 Mb / s speed
The main advantages of Zelax's:
- Point-to-point and point-to-point connections are possible, which allows put instead of two Polycoms one Zelax
- intuitive interface
- the main thing, for which, in fact, we thought about the issue of replacement - a significant reduction in losses.
For comparison, there are two pictures:
Polycom monitoring (though not a very good pink color, but the number of optical link drops is visible below):
monitoring of the tested Zelax (there’s already an adequate green color for itself):
Cons:
- unlike Polycom, which has dimensions 14x11x3.5, occupies one unit in the rack.
- on the second test pair, for some reason Ethernet did not rise in the “eye” A, the change of the “eye” to B. helped
- there is no telnet control