Contents

Introduction

Components Used

Background Information

Optical Transport Signal (OTS) Controller Mapping

Initial Configuration

Topology

Module Configuration

Optical Transport Signal (OTS) Controller Configuration

Configure PSM Thresholds

Verify Amplifier Operation

Check for Alarms and Conditions

Verify Optical Channel (OCH) Power

Check Historical Performance Monitoring (PM)

Alarm Troubleshooting

Automatic Power Reduction (APR)

Loss of Signal or Loss of Continuity

Auto Ampli Control Disabled

Incorrect or Invalid Channel Power

Change the Amplifier State

Toggle Optical Safety Remote Interlock (OSRI)

Toggle the OTS Controller

Restart the Amplifier

Restart the NCS 1001

Related Information

Introduction

This document describes commands and procedures to troubleshoot a variety of issues on the NCS1001 amplifier modules, the NCS1K-EDFA.

Components Used

NCS1001-K9 x2

NCS1K-EDFA x4

NCS1K-PSM x2

NCS1K-CNTLR-K9 x2

NCS1K1-FAN x6

NCS1K-2KW-AC x4

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Background Information

This document assumes a working knowledge of XR 6.0.1 and higher, and understanding of basic Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) principles such as optical amplification.

Optical Transport Signal (OTS) Controller Mapping

ots 0/{1|3}/0/0 ---> COM

ots 0/{1|3}/0/1 ---> LINE

ots 0/{1|3}/0/2 ---> Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC)

ots 0/{1|3}/0/3 ---> COM-CHK (RX only)

ots 0/2/0/0 ------> PSM COM

ots 0/2/0/1 ------> PSM Working (W)

ots 0/2/0/2 ------> PSM Protect (P)

Initial Configuration

For the NCS1K-EDFA to function as expected, it must have a certain minimum configuration.

Topology

This example topology represents a standard PSM-protected point-to-point network.

NCS1001 Protected Topology

For additional topologies, refer to the Solution Guide for Cisco NCS 1000 Series.

Module Configuration

The NCS1K-EDFA and, if present, the NCS1K-PSM require a hw-module configuration. This document does not detail the configuration options available. Refer to the Configuration Guide for Cisco NCS 1001 for detailed instructions.

hw-module location 0/RP0/CPU0 slot 1

ampli grid-mode 100GHz

ampli node-type TERM

!

hw-module location 0/RP0/CPU0 slot 2

psm primary-path WORKING

psm section-protection

!

hw-module location 0/RP0/CPU0 slot 3

ampli grid-mode 100GHz

ampli node-type TERM

Optical Transport Signal (OTS) Controller Configuration

Each NCS1K-EDFA ots controller must have an amplifier mode and rx-low-threshold configured. For automatic control mode, configure a channel power set point with ampli-channel-power. For manual mode, configure an amplifier gain with ampli-gain. The amplifier mode must match between endpoints. Optionally, configure the safety-control-mode and channel-power-max-delta.

controller Ots0/1/0/0

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 0

channel-power-max-delta 50

safety-control-mode auto

!

controller Ots0/1/0/1

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 30

channel-power-max-delta 50

safety-control-mode auto

!

controller Ots0/1/0/2

rx-low-threshold -280

!

controller Ots0/3/0/3

rx-low-threshold -300

!

controller Ots0/3/0/0

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 0

channel-power-max-delta 50

safety-control-mode auto

!

controller Ots0/3/0/1

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 30

channel-power-max-delta 50

safety-control-mode auto

!

controller Ots0/3/0/2

rx-low-threshold -280

!

controller Ots0/3/0/3

rx-low-threshold -300

!

Configure PSM Thresholds

The NCS1K-PSM requires at minimum an rx-low-threshold on the working (W) and protect (P) receive ports to function as expected. Best practice recommends to configure the threshold 5 dBm less than the current incoming power.

controller Ots0/2/0/1

rx-low-threshold -200

!

controller Ots0/2/0/2

rx-low-threshold -200

!

Alternately, use the psm auto-threshold for the system to automatically configure thresholds.

hw-module location 0/RP0/CPU0 slot 2

psm primary-path WORKING

psm auto-threshold

psm section-protection

!

Verify Amplifier Operation

The show controller ots command gives information on optical performance for each controller. To view optical power, amplifier gain, and other parameters, use the wildcard *.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-1# show controller ots 0/3/0/* summary

Thu Sep  7 17:08:24.360 UTC

Port          Type         Status       TX Power      TX Total Power    RX Power      RX Total Power    RX Voa Attenuation    TX Voa Attenuation    Ampli Gain     Ampli Tilt

(dBm)         (dBm)             (dBm)         (dBm)             (dBm)                 (dBm)

----          ----         ------       -----------   -------------     ----------    ---------------   ------------------    ------------------    ----------     ----------

Ots0_3_0_0    Com          N/A          5.00          5.09              -4.90         -4.90             Unavailable           Unavailable           5.00           0.00

Ots0_3_0_1    Line         N/A          9.40          9.39              0.00          0.39              Unavailable           Unavailable           14.30          0.00

Ots0_3_0_2    Osc          N/A          -11.30        Unavailable       2.50          Unavailable       Unavailable           Unavailable           Unavailable    Unavailable

Ots0_3_0_3    Com-Check    N/A          Unavailable   Unavailable       -40.00        Unavailable       Unavailable           Unavailable           Unavailable    Unavailable

The command show hw-module slot {1|3} ampli-trail-view all gives details on the amplifier state and configuration.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-1# show hw-module slot 3 ampli-trail-view all

Thu Sep  7 17:14:29.956 UTC

Ampli Trail View - BST and PRE Amplifiers

=======================================================

Port: 0/COM                             Port: 1/LINE

--------------                          --------------

Rx Power = -4.90 dBm                    Rx Power = 0.00 dBm

Rx Total Power = -4.90 dBm              Rx Total Power = 0.40 dBm

Rx Low Threshold = -23.0 dBm            Rx Low Threshold = -23.0 dBm

Port: 1/LINE                            Port: 0/COM

--------------                          --------------

Tx Power = 9.40 dBm                     Tx Power = 5.00 dBm

Tx Total Power = 9.40 dBm               Tx Total Power = 5.10 dBm

Tx Low Threshold = -20.0 dBm            Tx Low Threshold = -20.0 dBm

Bst Gain = 14.30 dB                     Pre Gain = 5.00 dB

Bst Tilt = 0.00                         Pre Tilt = 0.00

Bst Channel Power = 3.00 dBm            Pre Channel Power = 0.00 dBm

Bst Control Mode = Auto                 Pre Control Mode = Auto

Bst Safety Mode = ALS Auto              Pre Safety Mode = ALS Disabled

Bst Osri = Off                          Pre Osri = Off

Bst Gain Range = Normal                 Pre Gain Range = Normal

Check for Alarms and Conditions

The command show alarms { brief | detailed } system { active | history } gives the current or historical (cleared) alarms on the sytem. show logging provides additional information on system events.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# show alarms brief system active

Thu Sep  7 14:05:41.268 UTC

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Active Alarms

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location        Severity     Group            Set Time                   Description

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0/1             Minor        Controller       09/07/2023 14:05:27 UTC    Ots0/1/0/0 - Auto Ampli Control Disabled

Some alarms are suppressed to a condition in the presence of a higher priority alarm. For example, a Loss of Signal on the LINE-RX supercedes any alarms on an individual channel related to the same OTS controller.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# show alarms brief system conditions

Thu Sep 7 17:24:42.999 UTC

Historical alarms can help identify the cause of current alarms or conditions, and identify patterns. This example shows a pattern of Auto Ampli Control Disabled alarms raising and clearing.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# show alarms brief system history

Thu Sep  7 17:29:46.386 UTC

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

History Alarms

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location        Severity     Group            Set Time                   Description

Clear Time

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0/1             Minor        Controller       09/07/2023 17:07:50 UTC    Ots0/1/0/0 - Auto Ampli Control Disabled

09/07/2023 17:08:00 UTC

0/1             Minor        Controller       09/07/2023 17:08:40 UTC    Ots0/1/0/0 - Auto Ampli Control Disabled

09/07/2023 17:09:10 UTC

0/1             Minor        Controller       09/07/2023 17:15:20 UTC    Ots0/1/0/1 - Auto Ampli Control Disabled

09/07/2023 17:15:30 UTC

0/1             Minor        Controller       09/07/2023 17:19:30 UTC    Ots0/1/0/0 - Auto Ampli Control Disabled

Verify Optical Channel (OCH) Power

To verify active channels on the line system, use the command show hw-module slot {1|3} channel-trail-view active. To see all channel power levels across the spectrum, replace active with all. The channel power must remain within the user-defined thresholds, and the maximum difference between the highest and lowest channel power must remain within the threshold defined by channel-power-max-delta. The example output has a 3.3 dBm difference between channel power levels, so must have a channel-power-max-delta of at least 4 dBm.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# show hw-module slot 3 channel-trail-view active

Thu Sep  7 17:47:07.211 UTC

Channel Trail View - Active - dBm

===========================================

BST: 0/COM=>1/LINE              PRE: 1/LINE=>0/COM

Och Name            Wavelength(nm)      Freq(GHz)     Width(GHz)    Rx pwr(dBm)     Tx pwr(dBm)     Rx pwr(dBm)     Tx pwr(dBm)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ots-Och0_3_0_0_6         1532.68        195600.0       100.0         -9.10            5.10          -11.50            0.40

Ots-Och0_3_0_0_7         1533.46        195500.0       100.0        -12.40            1.70          -11.50            0.30

Ots-Och0_3_0_0_8         1534.25        195400.0       100.0        -11.10            3.10          -11.60            0.30

Ots-Och0_3_0_0_9         1535.04        195300.0       100.0        -12.00            2.40          -13.50           -1.40

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check Historical Performance Monitoring (PM)

To view the historical performance for an ots controller, use the pm history command. This can help to identify temporary power fluctuations or other transient issues no longer present on the system.

show controller ots 0/{1|3}/0/{1-3} pm history {15-min|24-hour|30-sec|flex-bin} optics 1 [ Bucket [ bucket ] ]

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61# show controller ots 0/1/0/0 pm history 15-min optics 1 Bucket 1

Thu Sep  7 17:38:16.744 UTC

Optics in interval 1 [17:15:00 - 17:30:00 Thu Sep 7 2023]

Optics history bucket type : Valid

MIN       AVG       MAX

LBC[% ]    : 9.2       9.2       9.2

OPT[dBm]   : 6.80      6.80      6.80

OPR[dBm]   : -4.40     -4.37     -4.30

AGN[dB]  : 15.2      15.2      15.2

ATL[dB]  : 0.0       0.0       0.0

Last clearing of "show controllers OPTICS" counters never

You can also view the historical performance of individual channels with show controller ots-och 0/{1|3}/0/{1-96} pm history ... command.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# show controller ots-och 0/3/0/0/6 pm history 15-min optics 1 Bucket 1

Thu Sep  7 17:54:36.183 UTC

Optics in interval 1 [17:30:00 - 17:45:00 Thu Sep 7 2023]

Optics history bucket type : Valid

MIN       AVG       MAX

OPT[dBm]   : 0.40      0.40      0.40

OPR[dBm]   : -9.10     -9.10     -9.10

Last clearing of "show controllers OPTICS" counters never

Alarm Troubleshooting

Automatic Power Reduction (APR)

The NCS1K-EDFA enters the APR state under some conditions such as Loss of Signal (LOS), automatically reducing amplifier gain until the condition clears. While in APR, the EDFA sends an 8 second recovery pulse every 100 seconds. If the amplfiier remains in APR after the conditions clears, use the recovery steps described in the Change the Amplifier State section.

If the ots controller has safety-control-mode auto configured, the EDFA can enter APR due to the loss of the Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) or COM-CHK. If these controllers do not have a fiber connection and are not in use, you can shut down the controller to restore the amplifier state. This example places the 0/1 OSC controller in the shutdown state.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61# configure

Thu Sep 7 18:15:35.544 UTC

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61(config)# controller ots 0/1/0/2

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61(config-Ots)# shutdown

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61(config-Ots)# commit

Thu Sep 7 18:15:48.650 UTC

Loss of Signal or Loss of Continuity

Use the show controller ots commands to identify the source of the optical power failure.

Verify the affected controller(s) have a functional fiber connection, and confirm power levels with an optical power meter.

Auto Ampli Control Disabled

When configured in ampli-control-mode auto, the EDFA can raise the Auto Ampli Control Disabled alarm when a condition prevents it from automatically regulating.

If the difference between the highest and lowest channel power exceeds the channel-power-max delta threshold, the amplifier also raises this alarm. Identify the channel or channels causing the threshold crossing with show hw-module slot {1|3} channel-trail-view all.

Confirm the incoming power cannot cause the amplifier to exceed its maximum or minimum gain. Refer to the Cisco Network Convergence System 1001 Data Sheet for these details.

Example:

Controller ots-och 0/3/0/0/6 has a receive channel power of 2.1 dBm.

Controller ots 0/3/0/1 has the configuration:

controller Ots0/3/0/1

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 0

!

The amplifier cannot reach the channel power set point of 0 dBm as the incoming channel power exceeds the set point. The amplifier cannot provide gain until the ots 0/3/0/0/6 receive power reduces beneath the ots 0/3/0/1 set point.

Similarly, a receive power of -26.0 dBm on ots-och 0/3/0/0/6 and ampli-channel power 30 on controller ots 0/3/0/1 exceeds the maximum gain of the line amplifier, 24 dB, resulting in the AMPLI-GAIN-LOW alarm as it cannot reach the configured set point.

Incorrect or Invalid Channel Power

The presence of unexpected channel power on ots-och channels from show hw-module slot 3 channel-trail-view all can indicate an mismatch between the configured grid mode and channel spectral width. Ensure the spectral width of the incoming channels is less than the configured grid-mode configuration. For example, a 400G channel exceeds the spacing of the grid-mode 50GHz configuration, resulting in optical power readings on adjacent ots-och controllers. Instead use grid-mode 75GHz or 100GHz. Alternately, configure a custom channel width using the flex-channel-id command. For complete instructions on configuring flex channels, refer to the  Configuration Guide for Cisco NCS 1001.

hw-module location 0/RP0/CPU0 slot 3

ampli grid-mode gridless

ampli flex-mode flex-spectrum

ampli flex-channel-id [ id ] chan-central-freq [ frequency ] chan-width [ width ]

!

Change the Amplifier State

Caution: These commands cause service impact.

Verify the configuration took effect with show run controller ots 0/{1|3}/0/{1-3}.

Toggle Optical Safety Remote Interlock (OSRI)

Setting OSRI to on disables the ots controller transmit power.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61# configure

Thu Sep 7 19:45:01.638 UTC

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001_61(config)# controller ots 0/3/0/1

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# osri on

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# commit

Thu Sep 7 19:45:15.772 UTC

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# do show run controller ots 0/3/0/1

Thu Sep 7 19:45:28.214 UTC

controller Ots0/3/0/1

osri on

rx-low-threshold -230

ampli-control-mode automatic

ampli-channel-power 30

!

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# no osri on

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# commit

Thu Sep 7 19:45:57.608 UTC

Toggle the OTS Controller

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# configure

Thu Sep 7 19:45:01.638 UTC

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config)# controller ots 0/3/0/1

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# shutdown

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# commit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# no shutdown

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2(config-Ots)# commit

Restart the Amplifier

Perform a module reload from the admin context.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# admin

Thu Sep 7 19:52:50.273 UTC

Last login: Wed Sep 6 01:33:34 2023 from 192.0.0.4

root connected from 192.0.0.4 using ssh on sysadmin-vm:0_RP0

sysadmin-vm:0_RP0# hw-module location 0/3 reload

Thu Sep 7 19:53:01.988 UTC+00:00

Reload hardware module ? [no,yes] yes

result Card graceful reload request on 0/3 succeeded.

Restart the NCS 1001

To fully power cycle the chassis and all modules, use hw-module location all reload. The device becomes inaccessible for several minutes while it reboots.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:NCS1001-2# admin

Thu Sep 7 19:52:50.273 UTC

Last login: Wed Sep 6 01:33:34 2023 from 192.0.0.4

root connected from 192.0.0.4 using ssh on sysadmin-vm:0_RP0

sysadmin-vm:0_RP0# hw-module location all reload

Thu Sep 7 19:53:01.988 UTC+00:00

Reload hardware module ? [no,yes] yes

Related Information

For additional information on alarm troubleshooting on the NCS1001, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide for Cisco NCS 1001.