Getting Started - Installing the Cards
Note:
All plug-in cards are static sensitive and packed in antistatic materials. Please keep the card in its
packaging until you are ready to install.
It is recommended that you do not discard the packing box until you are completely satisfied with the
cards and they are fully installed and working correctly. We also recommend that you make note of
the serial numbers of each card in a prominent place before you plug the card into the computer. This
should hasten any query should you need to contact our Technical Support Department. The serial
number is displayed on the card and the box label.
•
Power down the system (including peripherals), switch off at the mains and disconnect all the
cables connected to the computer, noting the positions for accurate reconnection. Remove the PC
cover
•
Locate a vacant PCIe (x4 or above) slot for the HLink-Optical card in the host machine and a PICMG
1.3 compliant slot in the expansion chassis for the SLink-Optical card. Remove the backing plates
(retain all screws).
If in doubt consult your system documentation to correctly identify a suitable PCIe
(PCI-express) slot. If the card is forced into a 32 or 64 bit PCI or PCI-X slot it will be irreparably
damaged when the system is powered up and the warranty will be void.
•
Remove the card from its packaging and secure it firmly into the empty PCIe slot. Extreme care should
be taken when securing the cards into the slots as some motherboards may have components that
impede the placement of the card. Note: If purchased as part of a VSN900X-Optical or
VSN1100X-Optical, the SLink-Optical card is pre-installed.
•
Screw the card bracket(s) to the back panel of the PC and replace the cover.
If the Optical Expansion link is being installed to replace and existing HLink/SLink-G3 connection, the
Datapath Driver Software has to be reinstalled. The additional PCIe switch used on the HLink-Optical card
will result in changes to the PCI bus numbering and therefore will effect the display order.
When using the Datapath VSN1170 as a host machine it is recommended to connect multiple chassis in a
“
Star” configuration (i.e place all HLink-Optical cards in the VSN1170 host machine) . This is because each
slot of the VSN1170 is capable of supporting the full x8 Gen3 connection to the HLink Optical card. Other
host machines that support multiple x8 or greater slots should also be configured this way.
If the VSN 970/900x chassis are to be used and a full bandwidth connection is required (dual optical
cables) a “
Daisy Chain” configuration is recommended (i.e. place the HLink-Optical in the first slot of the
VSN970 and each subsequent VSN900x expansion chassis). Only the first slot of the Express9-G3
backplane is able to support the full x8 Gen3 connection. Using other slots or adopting a “Star”
configuration still works but at a reduced
bandwidth (x4).
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