Installing MLC 8000s with Off-Site Preconfiguration

Prerequisites:

Review the following prerequisites:

See Implementing MLC 8000s.
Set up the Conventional Channels (in Provisioning Manager User Guide for ASTRO^® 25 M series and L series zone core systems, and in Configuration Manager for K cores). See Configuration Manager Settings.
For MLC 8000 devices deployed in a conventional-only subsystem architecture or in K core systems, a Motorola Solutions-certified TRAK 8835 model is used. To expand the number of outputs from the TRAK 8835, add additional units or use a TRAK 9100. If the TRAK 9100 does not have sufficient capacity, then you may want to install a certified distribution amplifier, adding the TRAK 9200 SSR Digital Distribution Unit (DDU) to expand the number of outputs.
NoteFor MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters connected to Rx only BRs, the time reference is not needed.
If the optional MCN Server 8000 and Client Software are joined to the ASTRO^® 25 domain, then implementation requires locating the ASTRO 25 Windows Supplemental media and the instructions for joining a domain, from the Authentication Services Feature Guide.

When and where to use:

Off-site configuration is intended to accomplish as much as possible to minimize the technician time at the RF sites.

Procedure:

If analog configuration, then prestage the MLC 8000 Analog Comparators and MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters.
1. Obtain the software and login information:
  - MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
  - Login and password information
2. Obtain/build necessary cables according to the equipment cabling tables.
  - Grounding wire
  - Cat 5e shielded LAN cable
  - FKN8718, GPS connector for the reference signal
  - FKN3000A, dongle adapter
  - Build all other cables, using the following information:
3. Obtain the necessary tools and equipment, including general tools needed to install, optimize, and service equipment.
  See “General Installation/Troubleshooting Tools” in the MLC 8000 Comparator Feature Guide.
If mixed mode configuration, perform the following steps:
Prestage the mixed mode comparators: MLC 8000 Mixed Mode Comparators and MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter.
1. Obtain the software and login information:
  - MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
  - Login and password information
2. Obtain/build necessary cables according to the equipment cabling tables.
  - Grounding wire
  - Cat 5e shielded LAN cable
  - Build all other cables
    - ASTRO 25 Mixed-Mode Non-Simulcast Voting Subsystem
    - MLC 8000 Radio Ports Cabling
3. Obtain the necessary tools and equipment, including general tools needed to install, optimize, and service equipment.
  See “General Installation/Troubleshooting Tools” in the MLC 8000 Comparator Feature Guide.
Prestage the mixed mode GCM 8000/GRV 8000 Digital Comparators.
1. Obtain the software and login information:
  - appropriate cables
  - SWDL, CSS, UNC
  - Login and password information
  See “Pre-Installation Tasks” in the RF Site Technician Guide and RF Site Technician Reference Guide.
2. Obtain the necessary tools and equipment, including general tools needed to install, optimize, and service equipment.
  See “General Installation/Troubleshooting Tools” in the RF Site Technician Guide and RF Site Technician Reference Guide.
If digital configuration, then prestage the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters.
1. Obtain the software and login information:
  - MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
  - Login and password information
2. Obtain/build necessary cables according to the equipment cabling tables.
  - Grounding wire
  - Cat 5e shielded LAN cable
  - Build all other cables
    - ASTRO 25 Digital-Only Simulcast Voting Subsystem
    - MLC 8000 Radio Ports Cabling
3. Obtain the necessary tools and equipment, including general tools needed to install, optimize, and service equipment.
  See “General Installation/Troubleshooting Tools” in the MLC 8000 Comparator Feature Guide.
Install the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool with Analog Display and Control application to service laptops.
See “Installing the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool with Analog Display and Control” in the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool User Guide. Complete the full process even if individual steps are not called out in this process.

NoteObtain the installation CD for the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool, or the version of the software you want to install from Motorola Online.

Consider the options you have to set up the MLC 8000s:

If…	Then…
Option 1: IF the system is prestaged off-site (not at the RF site), and IP address and channel cluster information is available,	Provision the actual IP address per the IP plan, configure the channel cluster (IP simulcast or Non IP simulcast), and download new software to the device (if available). Continue to 6
Option 2. IF the system is prestaged off-site (not at the RF site), and IP address and channel cluster information is not available,	Use the default IP address, provision a 'dummy' cluster, and download new software to the device (if available). Continue to 7
Option 3. IF the system is not prestaged off-site,	Continue to 8

NoteDownload new software to the MLC 8000 device if your Motorola Solutions representative recommends a newer software version. New software is available on the Motorola Online website ( http://businessonline.motorolasolutions.com).

Option 1: If the system is prestaged off-site (not at the RF site), and IP address and channel cluster information is available, then see the following sections for your system type.
- For ASTRO 25 Analog-Only Non-Simulcast Voting Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
- For ASTRO 25 Analog-Only IP-Based Simulcast Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
- For ASTRO 25 Mixed-Mode Non-Simulcast Voting Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
- For ASTRO 25 Circuit-Based Analog-Only Simulcast Voting Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
- For Circuit-Based Analog-Only Simulcast Voting Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
- For Analog-Only IP-Based Simulcast Voting Subsystem, see Configuring MLC 8000 Devices with the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
NoteYou can only perform these tasks if you have the necessary configuration information. If not, configuration must be done onsite. The purpose of this option is to perform some of the tasks during prework to save time.
1. Follow the directions for the appropriate option.
2. Back up the configuration on the same Configuration Tool PC to be loaded to the on-site Configuration Tool PC.
  “Backing Up the MLC 8000 System Configuration” in the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool User Guide.
Option 2: If the system is prestaged off-site (not at the RF site) and IP address and channel cluster information is not available, then use the default IP address, provision a 'dummy' cluster, and download new software to the device.

NoteThis option applies to a device from the factory that ships with a particular software version, and your Motorola Solutions representative recommends a newer software version.
1. To provision an initial IP address, follow the process to assign the IP addresses for MLC 8000 devices during prestaging.
  See “Prestaging IP Addresses for MLC 8000 Devices from the Factory” in the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool User Guide.
2. To software upgrade a device that just came out of the factory, follow the process for upgrading software during prestaging.
  
  NoteDecide whether it makes sense to perform the software update as part of prework, instead of when building the cluster on-site with all devices networked together.
  
  See “Updating Software during Prestaging for MLC 8000 Devices from the Factory” in the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool User Guide.
3. To provision an initial IP address and software upgrade a device that just came out of the factory, follow the process to upgrade the software and assign the IP address during prestaging.
  “Updating Software and Assigning IP Addresses during Prestaging for MLC 8000 Devices from the Factory” in the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool User Guide.
Option 3: If the system is not pre-staged off-site, then continue to implementation sequences for your system type.