1999/10/12

		ComOS 4.1c1 Interim Release Note
 

_______________ Introduction

The Lucent Technologies InterNetworking Systems ComOS(R) 4.1c1 interim
software release is now available for the PortMaster(R) 4 Integrated
Access Concentrator.

This release is provided at no charge to all Lucent customers.

This release note applies only to the PortMaster 4 and documents
updates to the modem code. All other features are identical to those in
ComOS 4.1.

NOTE:  This interim software release is recommended only for customers
who are experiencing the problems described and are unable to wait for
the next maintenance release.

Before upgrading, thoroughly read "Limitations" and "Upgrade
Instructions."

NOTE: If you downgrade from ComOS 4.1c1 to ComOS 4.0.3c2 or earlier, you
must perform the downgrade process twice because of changes in the
nonvolatile memory layout in ComOS 4.1c1.


_______________ Contents

Introduction
Bugs Fixed 
New Features in ComOS 4.1c1
Limitations
Upgrade Instructions
Technical Support
 

_______________ Bugs Fixed 

The following bugs are fixed in ComOS 4.1c1:

* For an ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) with a Net5 switch type, the
PortMaster 4 now attempts to activate Layer 2 if it is inactive during
a dial-out attempt or when an inbound call arrives, so as not to miss
the first call.

In ComOS 4.0, if a Net5 ISDN PRI switch initiated a Layer 2 inactive
state, the PortMaster 4 did not activate Layer 2 again before
attempting an outbound call, and the call failed. Likewise, if Layer 2
was inactive when an inbound call arrived, the PortMaster 4 did not
activate Layer 2 and did not answer the call.

* A "show isdn" command directed at a Tri E1 board no longer crashes the
system.

* Communication between a PortMaster 4 Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
(L2TP) access concentrator (LAC) and L2TP network server (LNS) is
improved because new sessions can no longer be created while a tunnel
is being torn down and stuck in a CLOSING state.

* This release improves non-facility associated signaling (NFAS)
performance by adding a break statement to stop infinite looping that
was causing a memory crash.

* This release improves modem support by fixing the following modem
bugs:

   - 3Com modem connections are now more reliable.

   - U.S. Robotics (USR) Telepath V.34 modems can now establish Link
     Access Procedure for Modems (LAPM) error correction. Previously
     under certain conditions, the modem was choosing too high a
     connection rate and was unable to establish LAPM error correction.
     The modem code now detects these conditions and forces the
     connection speed down by one rate to allow LAPM to be negotiated.

   - For modems with Rockwell Semiconductor Systems (RSS) K56flex
     chipsets, fast rate changes now work properly. Previously, a
     retrain was forced after a rate change. (RSS is now Conexant
     Systems Inc.)

   - For all modems, retrain detection has been improved to prevent
     some client disconnections.

   - In the presence of LAPM retransmission errors, the modem code
     retrains to allow the link to adjust to a lower speed and improve
     throughput.

   - The modem code now suspends LAPM transactions during any rate
     changes or retrains and thereby eliminates some connection
     failures, connections without error control, and some
     disconnections.


_______________ New Features in ComOS 4.1

The commands and features added in ComOS 4.1 are documented in the
"PortMaster 4 Configuration Guide," "PortMaster 4 Command Line
Reference," and "PortMaster 4 Installation Guide."

_______ Modem Enhancements

Modem performance under high loads is improved through enhancements to the 
modem driver software.
 

_______________ Limitations

* Multichassis PPP (MCPPP) is not supported in this release, but is
currently planned for a future release.

* The redundant system manager module is not supported in this release,
but is currently planned for a future release (ComOS 4.2).

* The "erase configuration", "erase comos", and "erase partition"
commands must not be used. The configuration is now stored in files in
subdirectories of the nonvolatile file system, not in partitions.

* When using a Quad T1 or Tri E1 line board, you must plug in any lines
from the telephone company that use telephone company clocking into the
lower-numbered line ports starting with Line0. Lines that do not have
telephone company clocking must be plugged into the higher-numbered
line ports starting with Line3 and counting down.

The line board uses the clock signal of the first line port that comes
up, starting with Line0, for its transmit clock signal which is shared
among all the line ports. If the frequency of the clock signal is
shifted, as it is in the case of clock generated by non-telephone
company sources, then analog modems encounter problems and might not
answer calls.

ISDN and hardwired connections are mostly immune to shifts in clock
frequency.

* The PortMaster 4 system manager module reboots if an snmpwalk is done
at the same time that the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is loaded.

* Ethernet subinterfaces can be configured on Ether0 only.

* The modem table is not supported. This limitation affects only users
who want to connect external modems to C0 or C1.

* You must reboot the PortMaster 4 after deleting an Ethernet
subinterface.

* The output of the "show ospf neighbor" command on a single-interface
Ethernet board or a double-interface Ethernet module truncates the last
character of the Ethernet interface.

* The response to the "reset l2tp" command is not printed until after
the next command is given.


_______________ Upgrade Instructions

You can upgrade your PortMaster 4 using PMVision 1.7 or later, or 
pmupgrade 4.3 from PMTools. Alternatively, you can upgrade using the 
older programs pminstall 3.5.3, PMconsole 3.5.3, or PMconsole for 
Windows 3.5.1.4, or later releases. You can also upgrade using TFTP 
with the "tftp get" command from the PortMaster command line interface.

See ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/software/java/pmvision17.txt for
installation instructions for PMVision 1.7.

*** CAUTION! If the upgrade fails, do NOT reboot! Contact
*** Lucent NetCare technical sgupport without rebooting.

The upgrade process on the PortMaster 4 erases the configuration area
from nonvolatile memory and saves the current configuration into
nonvolatile memory. Never interrupt the upgrade process, or loss of
configuration information can result. This upgrade does not otherwise
affect your stored configuration in the PortMaster 4.

The installation software can be retrieved by FTP from
ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/software/, and the upgrade image
can be found at ftp://ftp.livingston.com/pub/le/upgrades/:

ComOS	 Upgrade Image	Product
______	 _____________ ____________
4.1c1  	 pm4_4.1c1     PortMaster 4
 

____________________________________________________________

	Copyright and Trademarks

Copyright 1999 Lucent Technologies. All rights reserved.
PortMaster, ComOS, ChoiceNet, and NetCare are registered trademarks of
Lucent Technologies. PMVision, IRX, and PortAuthority are trademarks of
Lucent Technologies. PolicyFlow is a service mark of Lucent
Technologies.  All other marks are the property of their respective
owners.

	Notices

Lucent Technologies makes no representations or warranties with respect
to the contents or use of this publication, and specifically disclaims
any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any
particular purpose. Further, Lucent Technologies reserves the right to
revise this publication and to make changes to its content, any time,
without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revisions or
changes.

	Contacting Lucent NetCare Technical Support

Lucent NetCare Professional Services provides PortMaster technical
support via voice or electronic mail, or through the World Wide Web at
http://www.livingston.com/. Specify that you are running ComOS 4.1c1
when reporting problems with this release.

Internet service providers (ISPs) and other end users in Europe, the
Middle East, Africa, India, and Pakistan should contact their
authorized Lucent sales channel partner for technical support; see
http://www.livingston.com/International/EMEA/distributors.html.

For North America, the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), and Asia
Pacific customers, technical support is available Monday through Friday
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time (GMT -8). Dial 1-800-458-9966
within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and
CALA, or 1-925-737-2100 from elsewhere, for voice support. Otherwise,
send email to support@livingston.com (asia-support@livingston.com for
Asia Pacific customers).

