Issue 2.3
19
PYXIS
System User Guide
4 Control
Options
A Pyxis router supports a variety of Snell control systems; Nebula, Aurora and Workbench. Nebula
and Aurora combine to make up the legacy control system and Workbench the next generation with
enhanced features and user front end. The control system defines which control card must be used
within the Pyxis frame.
The 2449 allows control with Nebula and/or Aurora
The 2450 allows control with Workbench or Aurora.
The 2451 is a slave frame controller and used in Slave Frames of expanded systems (refer
to section 5.1.9 for details of expansion set up)
2449 2450
2451
Figure 13: Pyxis Control Card Options
4.1
Dual Redundant Controller Operation
Failure of a router controller will not lose signal connections through the router, but can render a
system inoperable. The 3U Pyxis frame allows dual redundant control modules to be fitted, meaning
a fully redundant control system is available, where changeover is both transparent and immediate.
When two control modules are fitted one must be designated ‘Master’ and the other as ‘Slave’. This
is set using switches on the Nebula controller and in software for the Nucleus controller. See the next
section of this manual.
In a dual control system one controller will always be ‘ACTIVE’ while the other is ‘IDLE’. In the event
of the ‘ACTIVE’ controller failing, the ‘IDLE’ controller will take over control of the frame and become
‘ACTIVE’.
