Phased Discontinuation of Production – 31st May 2019 – 31st January 2020
The production of the ‘Dynanet’ family of PDH Transmission telecoms products, first introduced by Nokia over 20 years ago, and continued in recent years by DNWP, is finally being ended.
This product range has well served Public Operator and Private Network Customers across the Telecoms, Utilities, Transport and Public Safety markets with high availability mission critical infrastructure, and indeed some networks are continuing to provide good operational service.
Essentially almost all the old equipment items, with a very few exceptions such as the TPS64, are being completely discontinued in a phased way according to these milestones, which have already commended:
31st May 2019 – DM8 Multiplexers, DF2-8 Optical Terminals, RPSA
31st October 2019 – DM2 Multiplexers, Subs/Exch & VF Cards, DN2 IU2, Service Terminals, V.28/V.11 DIU
31stJanuary 2020 – DB2, DN2 CU & BPU, G.703 & V.110, DIU, Ethernet I/F, Ring Gen, NDM 19” Subrack, NDA
@YellowsBestLtd satisfies customer product sourcing requirements for current and ‘legacy’ equipment technologies.
Should you wish to read the full ‘ramp-down’ notice and know more about obtaining equipment before it is no longer available, then please get in touch.
For many years, pioneering mobile communications technologies have been developed and implemented to serve the operational needs of professional users, such as public safety, utilities and transport organisations.
Initially based on radio technologies predating the public cellular networks and offering bespoke functionality, these were implemented as individual regional networks. Technology evolved from Analogue to Digital and deployments increased from regional to national rollouts.
We are now on the verge of next generation of mission critical communications with the arrival in the UK of the Emergency Services Network (ESN)
A brief history of PMR
When mobile communications were in their infancy, major organisations with mission critical requirements chose to build their own ‘dedicated’ networks to ensure availability of service. The users of such systems had operational requirements that shaped the technology developments, and gave rise to features such as Press-to-Talk (PTT), instant call set-up, encryption, user priority, 1-to-many and group calling.
Initially such networks were analogue-based and collectively known as ‘Private Mobile Radio’ (PMR). Inter-operation between systems was rarely possible, though one standard that did evolve was MPT1327 ‘Trunking Radio’, implemented by a range of vendors such as NOKIA and TAIT. Individual organisations built, operated and maintained their own infrastructure.
The next generation of technologies were digitally-based; one of the most widely adopted standards was TETRA. A break-though was the standardisation of the ‘air-interface’ permitting the inter-operability of user mobile terminals with infrastructure from a range of manufacturers, such as NOKIA and Motorola.
In the UK, two nationwide networks were rolled out, AIRWAVE for public safety users and DOLPHIN for professional users. The latter of these hit financial difficulties and was closed. Other regional networks were deployed, such as that on the London Underground, whilst other organisations continued to maintain their analogue-PMR systems.
ESN is coming
As on show at this year’s @TechXLR8 expo, the Emergency Services Network (ESN) is set to revolutionise professional mobile communications in the UK again, ultimately replacing the existing Airwave TETRA network and offering existing and updated services.
Essentially, acting as an overlay onto EE’s 4G network, the software from Motorola solutions will deliver an advanced mobile communications experience, including the PTT, group-call, priority and security features demanded by professional users.
The new service will bring PMR into the modern era with ruggedised mobile-phone-like user terminals providing advanced data capabilities, offering high quality colour-displays, GPS-mapping and location-based services.
A huge investment in development and rollout is taking place, which will result in additional network capabilities and coverage provided by 500 new base-station sites. The new network will serve the needs of the Police, Fire, Ambulance services as well as other professional users such as local authorities and utility services.
Supporting existing and future requirements
@YellowsBestLtd satisfies new and ‘legacy’ requirements for the operations and maintenance of systems and networks by providing services including consultancy, technical support and hardware repairs, and solutions, with the supply of functional replacements, spare part items and software support.
We would be keen to hear from you regarding your existing or future operational needs; please get in touch.
32-bit Application compatibility Issues resulting from macOS updates
Issues have started to appear using existing and older software applications on Apple Macintosh computers with the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit operating systems, commencing with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, and it’s set to get a whole lot worse!
Current Difficulties
Noticeable problems with applications have surfaced with the update to macOS Mojave.
Strange and unwanted things have crept in. For example:
opening a new Finder window causes a new tab to open instead. It’s like the wrong option has been selected – now opening a tab or a window are incorrectly identical. If you want a new Finder window, you need to then select ‘move this tab to a new window’. So suddenly this is a two-stage process
New Finder window opens a New Tab instead
Trying to print from Microsoft Word causes the application to ‘crash’. The work-around for this is its still possible to print by using the toolbar button, instead of selecting ‘print’ from the drop-down menu. But then this doesn’t allow for changing print settings etc.
Microsoft Word quits when trying to print
Promise of worse compatibility problems
This is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’. A whole range of software applications which currently run happily on the Apple Mac are set to become unusable in the next update to macOS. We’re talking about mainstream applications such as Microsoft Office as well as ‘niche’ applications that you may utilise. This appears to represent the biggest shift in software compatibility since the change from Mac ‘Classic’ (OS 9 and before) to Mac OSX, more than 10 years ago.
A warning is displayed when a 32-bit application is launched in macOS High Sierra, and in macOS Mojave the alert appears every 30 days.
The official Apple advice is to ‘contact the application developer’. For the average user, that’s unlikely to achieve anything, particularly for mature applications that perhaps are no longer available or don’t have ongoing development. With something like Microsoft Word, then it should be possible to obtain the latest version, but naturally that will require a new purchase and/or an annual subscription.
Purchasing a new version of existing software will be an expensive business to just maintain your existing functionality
Maintenance Decisions
The standard maintenance advice for computers is to upgrade to the latest available version of operating software; that way, security patches are up-to-date, keeping the system secure, with new functionality as well as bug fixes provided, and support for the latest applications.
On this occasion however, it is worth taking a long considered look at the benefits of upgrading verses sticking with your current macOS release. If you haven’t yet moved to macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or macOS Mojave 10.14 then you may wish to stay where you are for now, particularly if you’re happy with your current applications and functionality, such as Microsoft Word 2008. If you’re contemplating upgrading, either because you ‘must’ for security purposes or need to support a new generation application, then it will be worth taking the time now to review all of your existing software and work out what the upgrade path will be, or find out what the alternatives you could migrate to e.g. Apple’s ‘Pages’ to replace Microsoft Word, etc.
The most worrying situation will be for owners of specific hardware e.g. the M-Audio USB Midi interface, which may not (and never will) have a suitable updated driver software alternative
In such circumstances of uncertain application support, backups are as always essential; ideally you should be in a position to ‘roll-back’, dual-boot and/or run virtual machines to maintain previous applications and functionality.
Consideration should also be given to maintaining a dedicated computer at the existing macOS version, and over time, migrating day-to-day applications (where they can be) to a new computer, keeping the old machine for ‘legacy support’.
Further Assistance
Take a look at the full Apple announcement about the transition to 64-bit technology and how it affects 32-bit apps.
@YellowsBestLtd satisfies new and ‘legacy’ requirements for the maintenance of systems and networks by providing services, such as technical assistance and hardware repairs, and solutions, including the supply of spare part items and software support.
We would be keen to hear from you regarding your operational needs, please get in touch.
The UMUX platform provides carrier-grade reliable multi-service multiplexing and aggregation functions over copper and fibre networks. A variety of voice (POTS, FSX, FSO, ISDN) and data (e.g. G.703, V.11, V,24, V,35) interfaces, SHDSL and Ethernet (including PoE+ and EoS) services are available.
UMUX module range
The modular and flexible housing provided by the UMUX 1500 (8U, 21-slot) and UMUX 1200 (4U, 8-slot) 19” subracks provide the perfect solution for all applications and locations, offering redundant controller and power supplies.
‘Legacy’ telecoms history
The UMUX SDH product portfolio was originally launched 1991 by Ascom, which subsequently became Keymile.
In 2003, by when 70,000 units had been deployed worldwide, the ‘enhanced’ UMUX multiservice access platform was introduced, offering the delivery of ATM, TDM and IP based services from the same platform, with support for IP/Ethernet, ADSL, VoDSL and G.SHDL.
Keymile was sold to ABB in 2017 when the UMUX range was discontinued, and then was acquired in 2019 by DZS.
Continuing to provide operational service
The UMUX, together with the UNEM network management system and ‘sister’ LINERUNNER and MILEGATE products, continues to provide operational service with various global Operator, Utilities and Transport companies.
@YellowsBestLtd supports requirements to maintain these networks by supplying various spare part items from refurbished and surplus stocks in perfect working order.
There follows a list of the main elements that are typically provided, though other items can be provided. Please let us know of any specific requirements you may have. We look forward to being of assistance.
As a result of a PC replacement and upgrade project for Action for Asperger’s, we were presented with a seemingly serviceable Dell Optiplex 755 machine but suffering from a critical failure on power-up, meaning that the computer was unable to boot into windows, preventing use and severely limiting the diagnostics and configuration options.
PC restart
The first step following a reboot was an automatic ‘startup repair’, however, this didn’t result in a fix:
Startup Repair
Rebooting again and selecting F2 during the initial boot-up screen:
Boot Up
enabled a look at the system information, which indicated that the PC hardware was fine.
System infoProcessor infoMemory info
As an extra measure, the internals of the computer were briefly examined, ‘reseating’ components including the video board, memory chips and hard disk and then the system test run to verify all was well.
InternalTest
It was concluded therefore that the PC hardware was not the cause of the difficulties, and that the Windows installation was severely compromised.
From the bootup, troubleshooting was selected
Choose an option
From the ‘advanced options’, the Command Prompt was accessed.
Advanced options
Using these commands:
DISKPART
SEL DISK 0
LIST VOL
It was possible to view and confirm the drives and their assigned letters.
Diskpart
Extra information was provided using this command:
wmic logicaldisk list brief
Progress was further hampered by the internal DVD/CD drive not being recognised on boot-up, in its place an external DVD drive was connected.
Rebooting and pressing F12 on power up enabled the adjustment of the Boot priority, selecting the DVD drive first.
A copy of the Boot Repair Tool by yannubuntu was next downloaded and a boot-repair-disk created
This was run from boot and gave encouraging results:
Boot Repair Disk
Alas, these steps hadn’t cured the problems, now a further critical error message was displayed:
Recovery
Consequently, using the Microsoft USB/DVD Download Tool, a Windows 10 install disk was created (confusingly the site specifies Windows 7, but it works fine for Windows 10)
This was booted and the appropriate selections made for a fresh installation of Windows 10:
Windows Setup Windows Install nowWindows type of installationWindows operating system selectionActivate WindowsApplicable notices and licence termsPartition choice
At this point, it was found necessary to delete the old windows partition, extend a different partition and create a new partition in order to be able to commence the windows installation.
Partition selection
It did however then allow the installation of Windows onto the other partition, meaning that two bootable volumes were created. Might be useful for future upgrades or troubleshooting.
Choose OS
Just the straightforward matter left of completing the user configuration of the operating system ready for use.
Choose region
All done, pleasing to conclude that the critical issues with this PC could be resolved through software corrections alone!
@YellowsBestLtd provides professional Management Services for Business Development activities and Enterprise Support of Infrastructure. We source Solutions for Sustainable Systems maintenance, equipment Technologies and telecoms and other Products to enhance operations.
We’re always keen provide whatever is needed, so please let us know anything you require.
The Nokia ‘Dynanet’ family of PDH Transmission telecoms products has served customers well for the last 20+ years, and indeed some networks continue providing good operational service.
Dynanet Subtrack
@YellowsBestLtd has supported requirements to maintain these networks by supplying various spare part items from refurbished and surplus stocks in perfectly working order.
However, demand has recently reduced and warehouse space is needed, so now the time has come to recycle / dispose of a large proportion of the remaining equipment. Consequently, there remains a short-term opportunity to obtain any items still required to maintain existing deployed infrastructure, before the products are gone.
Here is a stock list of the main items currently available, though there may be a few additional parts that can be supplied. Hence, please check and if you do have any requirements, please let us know – before it’s too late! We look forward to hearing from you.
Part Number
Description
24204
TPSO H/W Module
CC 24002
DB2 Branching Unit, B2 2×2 Mb/s 75 ohm
CC 24011
DB2 2 Mb/s Switching Unit, X2 75 ohm
CC 24101
DN2 Interface Unit (IU2) 2×2 Mb/s 75 ohm
CC 24111
DN2 Control Unit (CU) 75 ohm
CF 24186
DN2 19″ Subrack
CF 24186.09
DN2 Subrack 19″, grey-L91 EMC
CG 24170
DN2 Bus Power Unit (BPU)
CG 24171
Extended DN2 Bus Power Unit (EBPU)
CU 24013
Data Interface Unit (DIU) 2M, nx64k: G.703/704, 75 ohm
T30506.09
17-slot DYNANET Subrack
T30851.02
Subrack Power Adapter (SPA)
T37870.01
NDM ACM2 19in 17-slot subrack
T37871.01
NDM DN2 19″ 17-Slot Subrack
T37882.01
NDM DC Unit (NDUe)
T37882.02
NDM DC Unit (NDUe)
T37885.01
NDM Ring Generator
T37889.01
NDM Backup Unit (NBU)
T65520.01
ACL2 RM DC Power Gen
T65580.01
ACL2i PF GEN Line Terminal Card
TA 21513
Optical Line Terminal Repeater 2-8 M, 1300 nm LED MM/SM
TA 21516
Optical Line Terminal Repeater 2-8 M, 1300 nm LASER SM
TC 21101
DM34 Mux Card
TC 21301
DM8 Multiplex Equipment, 75 ohm
TC 21705
Supervisory Substation
TC 21710.01
TMS Adapter
TG 21261
Ring Generator 25HZ 15W
TU 21122.5
Data Interface Unit (DIU) 48..64k V.11 10ch
TU 21124
Data Interface Unit (DIU) NX64k V.11/V.35/X.21 2CH
@YellowsBestLtd has now reached the significant milestone of completing three years of trading; something often useful to be able to state when qualifying for opportunities and registering with business customers.
Our aim continues to be “Keeping Customers Operational”; understanding requirements and fulfilling them by providing a range of management services and solutions, including:
consultancy, such as business development planning
technical support, e.g. day-rate engineering, NMS assistance
systems supply, including legacy IT servers / workstations
spares for infrastructure, in particular telecoms and CCTV cameras
repairs at module and component level, e.g. LED displayboards
value recovery through reverse logistics, resale and recycling
As we move forward in year four, we’d very much like to discover what else to provide to our existing Customers, as well as what would be of interest to potential clients. We’re always keen to enhance our range of #business services, increase the #enterprise infrastructure we support and expand our mix of #sustainable solutions we offer for supply and maintenance of new and legacy #technologies and products.
Please get in touch to discuss your challenges; whether you’re implementing new systems or maintaining existing infrastructure to serve your operational business needs. We look forward to hearing from you.
@YellowsBestLtd our mission is to provide our Customers with Management Services and Solutions so their infrastructure networks continue to serve and perform – “Keeping Customers Operational”
Needs vary from the launch of the latest IT and Telecoms technologies through to the support of well-established legacy systems.
Given that each organisation is unique, both in its business practices and deployed infrastructure, then we find that its best to take a flexible approach and provide tailored services to suit exacting demands.
Our no-cost and no-obligation Customer consultation is all about finding out needs, regardless of technology or manufacturer, and then sourcing the required solution(s), which may mean seeking out difficult to obtain products or requiring the supply of specialist services. So in essence, it’s not about us ‘selling’ them something we have, but rather our clients ‘telling’ us what to provide. Making it easier and more convenient for busy procurement and operational teams, saving them effort, time and cost.
We’re always keen to see how we can enhance our range of #business services, increase the #enterprise infrastructure we support and expand our mix of #systems solutions to supply the required #technologies and products for our customers.
Please help us understand what services would be of interest to you to support your systems requirements, by getting in touch; we look forward to hearing from you.
With Business expansion in mind, when there’s a need to fund key purchases of equipment, but you don’t want to tie up precious capital, and perhaps even with a carefully worked out business plan, your bank won’t provide the lending – help, is at hand …
@YellowsBestLtd we can assist with funding though our business finance partners. Finance can be arranged for nearly all business equipment, machinery and IT (including software). With facilities small and large that can be repaid over 1 to 5 years, it makes sense consider how you can get what you need now, not what you can only afford. After all, you don’t pay for your staff 3 years in advance, and you don’t wait to buy a building for them to work in. So don’t hold yourself back!
Please get in touch to let us know what you need to purchase and see how we can enable your business to move forward. Or perhaps you’re selling your products to your Customers, in which case we can arrange a point of sale facility to aid their purchase and accelerate your sale.
Summary of Customer Benefits
– an alternative line of credit: finance lease, lease/hire purchase, loans, sale & leaseback
– tax efficient: leasing is 100% tax deductible
– all asset types considered: office equipment, production machinery, fixtures & fittings, etc
– the biggest benefit is ‘the use’, not ‘the ownership’
Summary of Vendor Benefits
– provision of ‘point of sale’ leasing and finance facilities
Customers who own infrastructure systems usually require some form of test equipment to assist with the build, operation and maintenance activities.
Given the mixture of old and new technologies now deployed, consequently the range of available test equipment options has grown considerably. And like the infrastructure systems themselves, new functionality demands and obsolescence issues also affect the associated test equipment needs and availability.
@YellowsBestLtd assists Customers by sourcing the required test equipment, supplying either modern or legacy units. Often refurbished ex-hire equipment in excellent condition and at commercially attractive prices makes sense over leasing. This ensures the continued availability of sets of the appropriate specification, which may become discontinued by the manufacturers over time.
If necessary, we can also arrange the repair of existing units, especially those that perform very specific functions that cannot easily be replicated with more recent equipment.
There follows a brief description of many of the types of test equipment available; we would be very keen to hear from you to understand your specific requirements, so please get in touch!
Calibration Checkboxes
Calibration checkboxes, or electrical checkboxes, are used for routine observations of test equipment and allow users to maintain accuracy in between official calibration procedures. Suitable for use with PAT testers and with other testers and instruments.
Calibration Checkbox
Component Analysers
These test the efficiency and status of components including transistors and capacitors. An essential instrument for development engineering when specific components are used in product design.
Component Analyser
Earth Loop Testers
Loop impedance testers, or loop testers, verify the loop impedance of a live electrical circuit without disconnecting from the electrical supply. Most testers include non-tripping RCD technology as standard to prevent unexpected outages.
Earth Loop Tester
Earth Testers
These verify that electrical current paths are safely earthed. Earth spike testers, high current loop testers with earth stakes and leads are available.
Earth Tester
EMF Meters
EMF meters are used for verifying the presence of electrical magnetic fields given off by electrical equipment. Ideal for use in heavy-duty electrical applications and laboratory testing conditions.
EMF Meter
EVSE Testers
EVSE testers are purpose-built for the installation, testing and maintenance of electrical vehicle supply equipment and are an essential for use by electrical vehicle charging point installers, manufacturers and anyone else involved with EVSE equipment.
EVSE Tester
Insulation & Continuity Testers
A wide range of insulation and continuity testing instruments which include Megger insulation testers, insulation resistance testers, Fluke testers and insulation meters from Amprobe, DiLog, Seaward, Metrel, Martindale, Kewtech and Extech.
Insulation and Continuity Tester
LCR Meters
LCR meters get their name from their testing capabilities – they can test inductance (L), capacitance (C) and resistance (R).
LCR Meter
Multifunction Testers
Ideal for use when completing or testing an electrical installation. The huge range of MFTs include the Fluke 1600 range and Megger installation testers.
Multifunction Tester
Optical Fibre Inspectors
Quickly find and inspect the right port. Like having a built in flash-light so you can see in dark areas and dense panels. Pause button holds the image for viewing when it’s hard to get it just right. Bright backlit display. Screw-on probe tips to support most connector types.
Optial Fibre Inspectors
Optical Fibre Visual Fault Locators
Locates fibres, finds faults, verifies continuity and polarity. Locates visual faults including tight bends, breaks and bad connectors. Easily verifies polarity and identifies fibres. Features continuous and flashing modes.
Optical Fibre Visual Fault Locator
Optical Power Meters
Multimode and Singlemode Power and Loss Measurements. Multiple kit configurations with light sources for single mode, multimode and PON fibre optics. Min/Max capability automates tracking of intermittent power fluctuations.
Optical Power Meter
PAT Testers
For Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) routine safety checking of electrical equipment, including dual insulation test voltages and portable RCD lead testing, with adjustable PASS testing limits and substitute/mains powered leakage testing procedures.
PAT Tester
Power Quality Analysers
These provide a comprehensive snapshot of how power is being used in your facility and verify where energy is being lost. The latest power analysers and power analysis tools include those from Fluke and Hioki.
Power Quality Analyser
Production Line Safety Testers
Perfect for laboratories and product design applications, the equipment in this category can be used to verify electrical safety, service equipment using multiple electrical parameters and to simulate PAT conditions.
Production Line Safety Tester
Proving Units
An essential accompaniment to a voltage tester, proving units verify that the tester remains accurate both before and after testing. Both the NICEIC and NAPIT strongly recommend using these regularly when testing.
Proving Unit
RCD Testers
For testing RCD trip time and overall residual current device safety/efficiency. Available are handheld RCD testers, Megger RCD testers, RCD analysers and multifunctional RCD testers which also measure loop and PSC.
RCD Tester
Socket Testers
These testers are placed into a socket to assess faults with the wiring using audio/visual feedback.
Socket Tester
Telecom Datacom Analysers
Ideally suiting traditional telecommunications networking requirements, typically providing testing at V.24, V.35, V.11/X.21 interfaces at rates up to 2 Mb/s. Also a full range of BER/BLER measurements, control-circuit timing analysis with transitions diagrams and storage in text and graphic form.
Telecom Datacom Tester
Voltage Testers
Voltage Testers
These verify the presence of voltage, and allow full test of voltage levels. Instruments are available from the leading test equipment manufacturers such as Fluke, Kewtech, Martindale, Amprobe and Megger.
