1999/10/12 ComOS 4.1c1 Interim Release Note _______________ Introduction The Lucent Technologies InterNetworking Systems ComOS(R) 4.1c1 interim software release is now available for the PortMaster(R) 4 Integrated Access Concentrator. This release is provided at no charge to all Lucent customers. This release note applies only to the PortMaster 4 and documents updates to the modem code. All other features are identical to those in ComOS 4.1. NOTE: This interim software release is recommended only for customers who are experiencing the problems described and are unable to wait for the next maintenance release. Before upgrading, thoroughly read "Limitations" and "Upgrade Instructions." NOTE: If you downgrade from ComOS 4.1c1 to ComOS 4.0.3c2 or earlier, you must perform the downgrade process twice because of changes in the nonvolatile memory layout in ComOS 4.1c1. _______________ Contents Introduction Bugs Fixed New Features in ComOS 4.1c1 Limitations Upgrade Instructions Technical Support _______________ Bugs Fixed The following bugs are fixed in ComOS 4.1c1: * For an ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) with a Net5 switch type, the PortMaster 4 now attempts to activate Layer 2 if it is inactive during a dial-out attempt or when an inbound call arrives, so as not to miss the first call. In ComOS 4.0, if a Net5 ISDN PRI switch initiated a Layer 2 inactive state, the PortMaster 4 did not activate Layer 2 again before attempting an outbound call, and the call failed. Likewise, if Layer 2 was inactive when an inbound call arrived, the PortMaster 4 did not activate Layer 2 and did not answer the call. * A "show isdn" command directed at a Tri E1 board no longer crashes the system. * Communication between a PortMaster 4 Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) access concentrator (LAC) and L2TP network server (LNS) is improved because new sessions can no longer be created while a tunnel is being torn down and stuck in a CLOSING state. * This release improves non-facility associated signaling (NFAS) performance by adding a break statement to stop infinite looping that was causing a memory crash. * This release improves modem support by fixing the following modem bugs: - 3Com modem connections are now more reliable. - U.S. Robotics (USR) Telepath V.34 modems can now establish Link Access Procedure for Modems (LAPM) error correction. Previously under certain conditions, the modem was choosing too high a connection rate and was unable to establish LAPM error correction. The modem code now detects these conditions and forces the connection speed down by one rate to allow LAPM to be negotiated. - For modems with Rockwell Semiconductor Systems (RSS) K56flex chipsets, fast rate changes now work properly. Previously, a retrain was forced after a rate change. (RSS is now Conexant Systems Inc.) - For all modems, retrain detection has been improved to prevent some client disconnections. - In the presence of LAPM retransmission errors, the modem code retrains to allow the link to adjust to a lower speed and improve throughput. - The modem code now suspends LAPM transactions during any rate changes or retrains and thereby eliminates some connection failures, connections without error control, and some disconnections. _______________ New Features in ComOS 4.1 The commands and features added in ComOS 4.1 are documented in the "PortMaster 4 Configuration Guide," "PortMaster 4 Command Line Reference," and "PortMaster 4 Installation Guide." _______ Modem Enhancements Modem performance under high loads is improved through enhancements to the modem driver software. _______________ Limitations * Multichassis PPP (MCPPP) is not supported in this release, but is currently planned for a future release. * The redundant system manager module is not supported in this release, but is currently planned for a future release (ComOS 4.2). * The "erase configuration", "erase comos", and "erase partition" commands must not be used. The configuration is now stored in files in subdirectories of the nonvolatile file system, not in partitions. * When using a Quad T1 or Tri E1 line board, you must plug in any lines from the telephone company that use telephone company clocking into the lower-numbered line ports starting with Line0. Lines that do not have telephone company clocking must be plugged into the higher-numbered line ports starting with Line3 and counting down. The line board uses the clock signal of the first line port that comes up, starting with Line0, for its transmit clock signal which is shared among all the line ports. If the frequency of the clock signal is shifted, as it is in the case of clock generated by non-telephone company sources, then analog modems encounter problems and might not answer calls. ISDN and hardwired connections are mostly immune to shifts in clock frequency. * The PortMaster 4 system manager module reboots if an snmpwalk is done at the same time that the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is loaded. * Ethernet subinterfaces can be configured on Ether0 only. * The modem table is not supported. This limitation affects only users who want to connect external modems to C0 or C1. * You must reboot the PortMaster 4 after deleting an Ethernet subinterface. * The output of the "show ospf neighbor" command on a single-interface Ethernet board or a double-interface Ethernet module truncates the last character of the Ethernet interface. * The response to the "reset l2tp" command is not printed until after the next command is given. _______________ Upgrade Instructions You can upgrade your PortMaster 4 using PMVision 1.7 or later, or pmupgrade 4.3 from PMTools. Alternatively, you can upgrade using the older programs pminstall 3.5.3, PMconsole 3.5.3, or PMconsole for Windows 3.5.1.4, or later releases. You can also upgrade using TFTP with the "tftp get" command from the PortMaster command line interface. See ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/software/java/pmvision17.txt for installation instructions for PMVision 1.7. *** CAUTION! If the upgrade fails, do NOT reboot! Contact *** Lucent NetCare technical sgupport without rebooting. The upgrade process on the PortMaster 4 erases the configuration area from nonvolatile memory and saves the current configuration into nonvolatile memory. Never interrupt the upgrade process, or loss of configuration information can result. This upgrade does not otherwise affect your stored configuration in the PortMaster 4. The installation software can be retrieved by FTP from ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/software/, and the upgrade image can be found at ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/upgrades/: ComOS Upgrade Image Product ______ _____________ ____________ 4.1c1 pm4_4.1c1 PortMaster 4 ____________________________________________________________ Copyright and Trademarks Copyright 1999 Lucent Technologies. All rights reserved. PortMaster, ComOS, ChoiceNet, and NetCare are registered trademarks of Lucent Technologies. PMVision, IRX, and PortAuthority are trademarks of Lucent Technologies. PolicyFlow is a service mark of Lucent Technologies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Notices Lucent Technologies makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this publication, and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Lucent Technologies reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes to its content, any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revisions or changes. Contacting Lucent NetCare Technical Support Lucent NetCare Professional Services provides PortMaster technical support via voice or electronic mail, or through the World Wide Web at http://www.livingston.com/. Specify that you are running ComOS 4.1c1 when reporting problems with this release. Internet service providers (ISPs) and other end users in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Pakistan should contact their authorized Lucent sales channel partner for technical support; see http://www.livingston.com/International/EMEA/distributors.html. For North America, the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), and Asia Pacific customers, technical support is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time (GMT -8). Dial 1-800-458-9966 within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and CALA, or 1-925-737-2100 from elsewhere, for voice support. Otherwise, send email to support@livingston.com (asia-support@livingston.com for Asia Pacific customers).