Ask the Expert: Installation, Operation, and Troubleshooting of RF Gateway 1 (RFGW1)

[ciscomoderator]

With Ron Hanson

Welcome to the Cisco Support Community Ask the Expert conversation. This is an opportunity to learn and ask questions from Cisco expert Ron Hanson about the RF Gateway 1 (RFGW1) including installation, operation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Ron Hanson is a customer support engineer in the Technical Assistance Center, where he supports major RF Gateway 1 customers as part of the Service Providers Video team. He started working with the RF Gateway before its general release in 2008, and worked in the field on large Gateway deployments before joining product support. Hanson has been in the cable TV industry for 38 years. He previously spent 22 years at Scientific-Atlanta, which was acquired by Cisco in 2007. He holds two joint patents and is certified as a Cisco Optical Specialist. 

Remember to use the rating system to let Ron know if you have received an adequate response. 

Ron might not be able to answer each question due to the volume expected during this event. Remember that you can continue the conversation on the Service Provider sub-community discussion forum shortly after the event. This event lasts through Sept 7, 2012. Visit this forum often to view responses to your questions and the questions of other community members.

[Ivan Petrov]

Hello Ron,

Nice to see that we can now ask questions about cable technologes.  I wonder if  the modules of the RFGW1 hot swappable? I want to move a QAM card to another chassis – what is the process?

Thank you

- Ivan

[ronhanso]

Hi Ivan,

Glad to answer your questions.  All the modules in the RFGW1 are hot swappable (except the Communications Interface module). The CI module is the one that accepts the SFPs and the other IP cable interfaces to the RFGW1. It is located between the power supplies and the QAM modules.

As for the six QAM modules - they can be moved from location to location with out a problem.  No memory as to location is retained in the module itself. When the module is removed and put into a new chassis - it essentially asks the main chassis "what would like me to do?"  Then the chassis assigns the frequencies, settings, etc to that card.  The main chassis will also upgrade the code on the card if it not current.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

[Ivan Petrov]

Ron,

Thank you for your answer. Which NPE do I need to support the RFGW1 card? Any specific IOS version I should be running?

Thank you

- Ivan

[ronhanso]

Hi Ivan,

The RFGW1 interface is GUI based and does not use IOS.  We support Internet Explorer and Firefox.  I prefer Firefox because it has given me less issues over time.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Thank you   RON HANSON

[John Ventura]

Hi Ronald,

My gateway has been running v03.01.06 code for about two years. What new versions are available and why would I change to them?

- John

[ronhanso]

Hi John

V03.01.06 code has been in the field for well over two years. Many many operators are still running this code.  It has proven itself as very reliable and virtually trouble free.

If you have all the features you desire - I would not change.

We do have a new version of code coming out in October V06.01.00 (development name AJAX). This new code rolls all versions and features of all previous versions into this one release.

This new code offers many new features (most for specific applications) but again if V03.01.06 is meeting your current requirments I would not upgrade until you need a new function.

Please let me know if you have additional questions

Thank you  RON HANSON

[John Ventura]

Thank you Ronald, for your response. I appreciae it. I do have another question. What is the process of moving a license from one gateway to another? Anything I should take into account?

thank you

- John

[ronhanso]

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply.  The process of moving a license to another gateway can be done by the customer on the web site named HESULE  https://online.sciatl.com/license-it/.  You will need the HOST ID which can be found on the SYSTEM/License management tab. The HOST ID is essentially the 7 digit serial number with all leading zeros removed.

Be sure to use Firefox when logging in.  Entering your email is important because the new license will be sent back to this address.

In the License management tab, on the gateway you wish to remove the license from, record the 32 digit validation key number to the right of the license you wish to transfer.

Go to HESULE and start the transfer process.  Hesule is very secure - therfore you must "prove" to Hesule the license has been removed from the first chassis.  Hesule will issue you a new license with the license you wish to transfer removed.  When you load this new license and new validation key will come up on the screen.  Go back to Hesule and enter this key to prove the license has been removed.  Hesule will then email you another new license containing the license you are transfering. Load this license on the new RFGW1 and the process is complete.

Yes I understand I said a lot.  However, the process is described step by step on the Hesule site.

If you have any problems do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you   RON HANSON