Operations Manual

OPERATIONS 4-29
O&M of the MCC-545B PACKET DATA RADIO
12/2000
REMOTE
REPEATER
WAN
DATA
CENTER
HOST
SERVER
CLIENT CLIENT CLIENT
BASE BASE BASE
REMOTE REMOTE
REMOTE REMOTE REMOTE
USER-A USER-B USER-C
WAN
All routing from Remote to Repeater to Base is handled by the PACKET DATA RADIO
software. Routing between Base Stations is handled by the WAN Data Center computer. Client
applications access the central host server databases to access data and send/receive messages,
email, etc. Data, position reports and messages are routed to the Host by using DESTINATION,
1 which causes Remotes and Repeaters to route information to the nearest Base for output to the
Host. This feature is used in any unit, (Remote, Base or Repeater) that has a BASE command
defined. No Master (Base or Repeater) can have an actual ID set to 1 when using this type of
network. The following table defines the routing logic used when Destination is set to 1:
Type of unit Routing Logic used when Destination = 1
Remote Send to current “Master” which could be another Remote, Repeater or Base
Repeater Send to Master unit to which it is a Repeater, which could be another Repeater
or Base
Base Print on MNT, DTA and ALT ports for delivery to the Host Computer
In this way, a Remote anywhere in the network can get a message to the Host Computer by
assuming it is ID 1. In any network where the units have BASE set to OFF a Master can have its
ID set to 1.
In these types of networks, each of the RF sub-networks is independent of the others except
through the Host. If a Base looses its Host connection, it is desirable to force the Remotes to
select a different Base, if one is available.
This behavior can be controlled using the HOSTMODE command; its options are:
HOSTMODE, OFF Ignore connection state, continue transmitting.
HOSTMODE, STOP Stop transmitter if Host connection lost.