What are some of the tips when troubleshooting DWDM networks?
8 Troubleshooting DWDM network Tips:
1) Loopback test
Important to locate the faults in WDM to use loopback test
We can perform hardware loopback on site
And software loopback through software
Loopback can be on client side or line side ports
Remember to use optical attenuators in hardware loopback to avoid port damage with high power
2) RESET
We can reset the boards with 2 types
Warm reset
Cold reset
Reset can be done using NMS or by removing the board and reinsert it physically or by using the reset button on control card for example
Remember that cold reset will affect the service
3) Checking current and historical alarms
Note that current alarms is the alarms still raised
Historical alarms is alarms raised and cleared
4) Checking performance monitoring logs
For checking counters like bit errors , availability and power levels on boards and OSNR
5) Use OTDR
For fault locating and attenuation / power calculation and traces
6) Use Spectrum analyzer and power meter
For optical power analysis
7) Checking board indicators
Boards inside the cabinet have indicators to indicate the board hardware status , service status , software status
8) Checking finer cables status , attenuation levels , connectors , splice points loss , SFP modules status