This article applies only to TDX ! 

This article will describe, how to set up a 'Multi-Unit'. First of all, a 'Multi-Unit' is simply 2 or 3 TDX's combined to 1 complete system (max 3 units).


There will always be a "Master unit" with 1 or 2 "Sub-units". The master unit will be the one, in control. You will connect to the master unit and do the complete configuration from here.


There are 2 ways to connect the units:

  1. Direct connection
  2. Through a switch


This article will look at both options. Before we look at the configuration, lets talk hardware.


Hardware Setup

Installing a multi unit requires correct placement of the units. This is required in both the direct connection and through a switch. This is due to ventilation.


Please ensure, that the following ventilation requirements are met:


Horizontal


  • Min. 20cm ventilation space must be available between headends.
  • Min. 10cm ventilation space must be available outside the end headends.
  • Min. 10cm ventilation space must be available from the front of each headend.


Vertical


  • 10cm ventilation space must be available on both sides of each headend.
  • 10cm ventilation space must be available from the front of each headend.



In the steps below, the "ID Switch" will be mentioned. This is the small switch positioned below the PSU fans, on the right side of the Link ports




Direct Connection

The most simple an "out of the box" setup, is the 'Direct Connection'. This requires no additional configuration in the GUI. As default, the connection type is set to 'Direct' , in the IP Settings.







Connecting Main-Unit and 1 sub-unit

  1. Connect your management, to the "Config Port", on the Main-Unit (Orange line)
  2. Insert SFP into the "Link 1" sockets on the main-unit and sub-unit.
  3. Connect the "Link 1" socket on the main-unit to the "Link 1" socket on sub-unit (Green line).
  4. Set the "ID switch" on the main-unit and sub-unit to the following:
    • Main unit = "3"
    • Sub-unit = "1"
  5. Combine the output signal, from both units, to a combined signal out (Black lines).
  6. Power on both units.




Connecting Main-Unit and 2 sub-units

  1. Connect your management, to the "Config Port", on the Main-Unit (Orange line)
  2. Insert SFP into the "Link 1" and "Link 2" sockets on the main-unit and both sub-units.
  3. Connect the "Link 1" socket on the main-unit to the "Link 1" socket on 1. sub-unit (Green line).
  4. Connect the "Link 2" socket on the main-unit to the "Link 1" socket on 2. sub-unit (Blue line).
  5. Connect the "Link 2" socket on the 1. sub-unit to the "Link 2" socket on 2. sub-unit (Purple line)
  6. Set the "ID switch" on the main-unit and sub-units to the following:
    • Main unit = "3"
    • 1. Sub-unit = "1"
    • 2. Sub-unit = "2"
  7. Combine the output signal, from all units, to a combined signal out (Black lines).
  8. Power on all units.




Through a Switch

If you, for some reason, want to connect the units via a switch, this is possible as well. Before you start connecting the units, you need to set the connection type to "Switch". You also need to set the IP address and Subnet mask on each Link port, on all the units.


1. On each unit, ensure the "ID Switch" is set to "0" (we need to be able, to connect to the unit).

2. Connect to each unit (one at the time).

3. Configure each unit, to use "Switch" in IP Settings.

4. Assign unique IP address to each Link port. Default values are (all with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0):

  • Main-unit, Link 1 : 192.168.1.3
  • Main-unit, Link 2 : 192.168.2.3
  • Sub-unit 1, Link 1 : 192.168.1.1
  • Sub-unit 1, Link 2 : 192.168.3.1
  • Sub-unit 2, Link 1 : 192.168.2.2
  • Sub-unit 2, Link 2 : 192.168.3.2


Main-unit

image


Sub-unit 1

image


Sub-unit 2

image


4. Save the configuration on the units.


Now we can connect the units, to the switch


  1. Connect your management, to the "Config Port", on the Main-Unit (Orange line).
  2. Insert SFP into the "Link 1" and "Link 2" sockets on the main-unit and both sub-units.
  3. Connect the "Link 1" socket on all the units to the switch (Blue line).
  4. Connect the "Link 2" socket on all the units to the switch (Green line).
  5. Set the "ID switch" on the main-unit and sub-units to the following:
    • Main unit = "3"
    • 1. Sub-unit = "1"
    • 2. Sub-unit = "2"
  6. Combine the output signal, from all units, to a combined signal out (Black lines).
  7. Power on all units.




Final Note

Please read this article, about "Best Practise" when setting up a multi unit:


What is 'Best practise' when setting up the headend?