You use Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications to define signal structures. A signal structure defines a multiplexing hierarchy where data streams are separated into multiple lower data communication links. For example, a DS1 signal structure can define a 1.536 Mbps data stream as 24 DS0 signals, each supporting 64 Kbps. The signal structure defines the channel hierarchy for a pipe facility that supports time division multiplexing (TDM), such as a T1 or an E1 facility.
You create a hierarchy of Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications to define the signal structure. The highest-level Pipe Signal Termination Point specification in the hierarchy (the parent) represents a trail termination point (TTP). You associate this parent specification to a Capacity Provided specification to define the total bandwidth capacity provided by the signal structure.
The child Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications represent connection termination points (CTP). A signal structure can have multiple levels of child Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications, each representing a further breakdown of the data stream defined by the preceding specification in the hierarchy.
You associate the highest-level Pipe Signal Termination Point specification (the parent) of a signal structure to a Pipe specification to define the channel hierarchy and capacity provided by the pipe facility.
When working with Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications, see the following topics:
A child signal termination point represents a child signal level in a signal structure, such as the DS0 signals in a DS1 signal structure. Although you can create the specifications in any order, it is generally a good practice to begin with the child signal termination points and then move to the parent. Having the child termination points already created makes it easier to create the parent termination points. When you configure a child Pipe Signal Termination Point specification, you define the capacity unit amount, unit of measure, and number of child signals.
You can optionally define compatible signals. These are Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications that define capacity unit amounts that the signal can support even though they are not an exact match for the main capacity unit amount. For example, you can configure, a SONET STS1 51.840 Mbps channel to support a DS3 facility at a rate of 44.736 Mbps in addition to an STS transmission facility of exactly 51.840 Mbps.
To configure a child Pipe Signal Termination Point specification:
Create a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification or navigate to the editor of an existing one.
See "Creating New Specifications" for more information.
In the Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification editor, click the Properties tab.
In the Capacity Unit Amount field, enter an amount for the capacity.
The value is relative to the selection in the Unit of Measure field. When you enter a value in the Capacity Unit Amount field, the Capacity Provided field is disabled. Capacity provided information is not required for child signal termination points.
In the Unit of Measure field, select a unit of measure relative to the Capacity Unit Amount field.
See "Creating Units of Measure" for information about creating a new Unit of Measure.
In the Number of Child Signals field, select the appropriate value.
For example, select 0 if this signal termination point will not have any child signal termination points. If the signal termination point will have children, this value will be greater than 0. For example, in a SONET or SDH signal structure, there can be more than two levels of signal termination points.
From the File menu, select Save.
You define the total bandwidth for the signal structure by relating a Capacity Provided specification to the highest-level Pipe Signal Termination Point specification in the structure. A parent signal termination point represents the top level of a signal structure, such as the DS1 signal in DS1 signal structure. You define the signal hierarchy below the parent signal termination point by selecting a succession of child termination point specifications.
To configure a parent Pipe Signal Termination Point specification:
Create a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification or navigate to the editor of an existing one.
See "Creating New Specifications" for more information.
In Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification editor, click the Properties tab.
In the Capacity Provided field, do one of the following:
Click Capacity Provided to create and model a new specification. See "Creating New Specifications" for more information. When you have completed working on the new Capacity Provided specification, return to the editor of the original Pipe Signal Termination Point specification.
Click Select to select an existing Capacity Provided specification.
Click Clear to remove any previous selections.
The specification that you select or create is displayed in the Capacity Provided field, and the Capacity Unit Amount and Unit of Measure fields are disabled. This information is not required for parent signal termination points.
In the Number of Child Signals field, enter or select the appropriate number of signals.
For example, for a DS1 signal structure, enter 24.
Click the Signal Structure tab.
Right-click the icon in the tab and do one of the following:
Select Select Child Signal to select an existing Pipe Signal Termination Point specification.
Select Create New Child Signal to create a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification.
See "Creating New Specifications" for information about creating a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. When you have completed working on the new specification, return to the editor of the original Pipe Signal Termination Point specification.
The specification that you select or create is displayed in the Signal Structure tab. The number of child signals is also displayed.
From the File menu, select Save.
Use the Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification editor to define signal structures.
When working with the Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification editor, see the following topics:
Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification Editor Signal Structure Tab
Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification Editor Properties Tab
Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification Editor Compatible Signals Tab
Use the Signal Structure tab to create a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification or select an existing one.
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Select Child Signal | Right-click the specification box and select this option to add an existing Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. |
| Create New Child Signal | Right-click the specification box and select this option to create a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. |
Configuring Child Signal Termination Points
Use the Properties tab to define the capacity unit amount, unit of measure, and number of child signals.
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Capacity Provided | Displays the name of the selected Capacity Provided specification. |
| New | Click to create a new Capacity Provided specification. |
| Select | Click to select an existing Capacity Provided specification. |
| Clear | Click to remove a Capacity Provided specification. |
| Capacity Unit Amount | Enter a value relative to the selection in the Unit of Measure field. When you enter a value in the Capacity Unit Amount field, the Capacity Provided area is removed from the tab. Capacity provided information is not required for child signal termination points. |
| Unit of Measure | Click New to create a new unit of measure or click Select to use an existing one. |
| Number of Child Signals | Define this value as 0 if the signal termination point will not have any child signal termination points. Define this value as greater than 0 if the signal termination point will have children. |
Configuring Child Signal Termination Points
You use the Compatible Signals tab to select Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications that include compatible capacity unit amounts. These are capacities that the signal can support even though they are not an exact match for the main capacity unit amount. For example, you can configure a SONET STS1 51.840 Mbps channel to support a DS3 facility at a rate of 44.736 Mbps in addition to an STS transmission facility of exactly 51.840 Mbps.
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Supports Signals | Displays all supported Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications. |
| Supported By Signals | Displays all Pipe Signal Termination Point specifications that are supported by the selected specification. |
| Select | Click to select and add an existing Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. |
| Open | Click to open the selected Signal Termination Point in the Pipe Signal Termination Point Specification editor. |
| Remove | Click to remove the selected Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. |
| Add | Click to create and add a new Pipe Signal Termination Point specification. |