Quick PA-MC-8T1 Question

[IllegalOperation]

I just purchased a 7206VXR with a PA-MC-8T1. This is my first time using an eight port T1 adaptor, so this could be something stupid. I just found out right now, that the PA-MC-8T1 has reached its EOL almost a year ago. I didnt bother checking up, because it was sold in a "bundled package" with the router by my ISP.

Anyways, the router detects the PA just fine. A show diag gives me the output of...

Slot 1:
Channelized T1 (CSU) Port adapter, 8 ports
Port adapter is analyzed
Port adapter insertion time 21:09:14 ago

A show version gives me the output of...

8 Channelized T1/PRI port(s)

A show running config gives me the output of...

controller T1 1/0
!
controller T1 1/1
!
controller T1 1/2
!
controller T1 1/3
!
controller T1 1/4
!
controller T1 1/5
!
controller T1 1/6
!
controller T1 1/7

There is also the "enabled" LED lit up on the card itself. So obviously the router detects this port adapter and it seems to be functioning. Unfortunately, I can not access the specific interfaces. The router is telling me there is no interface 1/0, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, or 1/7. When I do a "show interfaces" command, all I get are my two FE ports - and nothing else. Now I was told that the eight interfaces on the adapter should automatically pop up after I start up the router. Well, where are these interfaces? I obviously cant configure much, with the exception of the T1 controllers aspect. I am assuming that these are going to be SERIAL interfaces, correct? Unfortunately, Cisco has NOTHING on this. They just assume that the interfaces are already there and ready to go for you. I assumed that too. I have a feeling I am missing something very stupid, and will feel embarrassed when I hear the answer. Oh well. The only thing I did after starting up this router for the first time was skipped the "initial setup" option.

Anyone got an answer for this silly question? Appreciated...

 

[Praedor]

It depends on your config file but usually those will be virtual serial ports and therefore inaccessible to remote management.

 

[IllegalOperation]

Ok I figured it out.

I had to actually map the channel groups (and timeslots) to each specific controller interface. As soon as I did so, the serial interfaces popped right in.

This "channel group" concept is new to me. I have a few questions out of curiousity. You can use a number from 0-23 for the channel groups. Can you use the same channel group number for two different serial interfaces, or does each interface need to be on its own channel? It also says you can use a maximum of 128 channel groups per port adapter. What is the purpose of having multiple channel groups on a single interface? Perhaps if someone can point me to some literature about this channel group stuff, I should be well on my way. Ive buried myself in Cisco's website, but havent found much yet. Thanks in advance...