IBM 8228 Setup Aid
Building Your Own !

Here's the wiring for the IBM 8228 Multistation Access Unit (MAU) Setup Aid. This Aid is -usually- a small, handy tool, which is required to setup and test the IBM Token-Ring MAU 8228.
The original IBM 8228 Setup Aid 
The original IBM 8228 Setup Aid
You need:
  • a soldering iron (a good one - as usual)
  • a multimeter with Ohms-range or continuity checker
  • an IBM ICS Token Ring plug (maybe cut from an old cable)
  • parts as specified below
  • some self-confidence (Yes - like always)

Wiring And Parts
 
                                                            
      +-------+-------+            LED  = LED, 3mm red      
      |       |       |            R1   = 1.00 KOhm, 1%     
      |      +++      |            R2   = 561 Ohm, 1%       
 LED \T/     | |      -  +         Batt.= 9V Block          
     -+-   R2| |      T            Battery Clip             
      |      | |      | Batt.                               
      |      +++      T            BL = Black               
      |       |       -  -         OR = Orange              
      +-------+       |            GN = Green               
              |       |            RD = Red                 
              |       |                                     
             +++      |            +--------------------+   
             | |      |            | +-------++-------+ |   
           R1| |      |            +-+       ++       +-+   
             | |      |            | |                | |   
             +++      |            | +-##--##--##--##-+ |   
              |       |            +-+-------++-------+-+   
              |       |            ||  BL  OR  GN  RD  ||   
          o   o   o   o            |+------------------+|   
         BL  OR  GN  RD            +--------------------+   
                                                            
        IBM TR-Connector               ( Front View )
Looking on an 8228 MAU
 


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| H   RI    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     RO     H |
| H  +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+   H |
| H  | # | | # | | # | | # | | # | | # | | # | | # | | # | | # |   H |
| H  +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+   H |
| H                                                                H |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
    (orange)              - Station Ports -                (blue)

Disassembled IBM Cabling System (ICS) Plug
No ASCII-graphics this time ...

ICS Plug disassembled 
From upper left to lower right:

Cable Retainer - Shield Holder - Plug Retainer
Retainer Screw - Upper Half - Wire Holder - Lower Half

The lower half contains self-cutting wire contacts.
The wire holder has the IBM wire color code atop.

Using the IBM 8228 Setup Aid

Use the IBM 8228 Setup Aid after you have installed the 8228 and before you connect any cables to it.
The aid should never be used when the network is operating !

  1. Before you begin: Make sure no cables are connected to the 8228.
    If a cable bracket has been installed on the 8228, remove it.

  2. Insert the aid into receptacle 1 of the 8228.
    The yellow stripe should be aligned with the edge of the receptacle to ensure that the aid is firmly seated.

    The light will glow brightly when the aid is initially inserted and will gradually dim when the aid is firmly seated in the receptacle.

    If the light does not glow brightly when you insert the Setup Aid, remove the screw from the aid and replace the battery. If the light still does not glow brightly after you have replaced the battery, try another Setup Aid.

  3. Leave the aid in the receptacle for four seconds after the light has gone out. Remove the aid from the receptacle and insert it into the next receptacle. The yellow stripe should be aligned with the edge of the receptacle to ensure that the aid is firmly seated.

    (Rem.: You should hear the relay for that port click noticeably !)

    Go to the next receptacle and repeat this step until you have set each receptacle, 1 through 8.

  4. When you have set receptacle 8, insert the aid into the RI receptacle for four seconds.

    The light should glow brightly while the aid is in the receptacle. If the light does not come on or goes out while the aid is connected to the receptacle, then the 8228 must be replaced.

(This Text: Courtesy of IBM International Business Machines Inc.)
That's all !

Feel free to report experiences.

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© 1998 by Peter H. Wendt / pw-software production