Change CAN Configuration for Realtime Data Analysis

Purpose

This page explains how to change the CAN (Computer Area Network, which connects the host to the console) configuration to either allow or disallow realtime data analysis.

Introduction

In order for realtime data acquisition to work, there must be a network switch installed on the Computer Area Network (CAN) that connects the Skyra host computer, the MaRS (Measurement and Reconstruction System), ad some other console components. That switch allows us to attach additional computers to the network. Doing so provides access to the realtime data. For some studies, it may be true that the presence of the switch degrades the network performance to a point that prevents reliable scanner operation. As a result, for the time being, the default CAN configuration will be without the switch, and users who need to use it must make a cable change before their study, and return the scanner to its baseline configuration after. This page explains how to do those things.

Steps to Return the System to Product Configuration

Perform a full shutdown of the scanner. Place the scanner bed in the home position. From the System pull-down menu, select Control. On the dialog box that appears, click Shutdown All. Wait for 3-5 minutes while the system shuts down. The end of the process will be announced by the host computer screen message "It is now safe to turn off your computer" as seen in figure 1 on the right. Once that is displayed, push the System Off button on the system control module, visible in Figure 2.
Pull the left side of the control desk away from the wall as shown in Figure 3. Take extra caution to only pull the left side away as pulling the right side may strain or pull out other cables.
Locate the network switch on the backplane of the desk, pointed to in Figure 4. Unplug from the switch the GRAY Ethernet cable (the only one not in the cable trough and seen in Figure 5).
Unplug the YELLOW Ethernet cable from the back of the host computer, seen in Figure 6. Replace it with the gray cable you unplugged in step 3.
Return the desk to its normal position, and press the System On button at the System Control Module in Figure 2. Wait for the system to reboot, and continue your work.

Steps to Enable Realtime Work

Perform a full shutdown of the scanner. Place the scanner bed in the home position. From the System pull-down menu, select Control. On the dialog box that appears, click Shutdown All. Wait for 3-5 minutes while the system shuts down. The end of the process will be announced by the host computer screen message "It is now safe to turn off your computer" as seen in figure 1 on the right. Once that is displayed, push the System Off button on the system control module, visible in Figure 2.
Pull the left side of the control desk away from the wall as shown in Figure 3. Take extra caution to only pull the left side away as pulling the right side may strain or pull out other cables.
Unplug the GRAY Ethernet cable from the host computer (the same one you plugged in above), and replace it with the YELLOW cable you unplugged before.
Plug the GRAY cable back into the network switch as seen in Figure 5.
Return the desk to its normal position, and press the System On button at the System Control Module in Figure 2. Wait for the system to reboot, and continue cleaning up the room for the next user.


Figure 1: Host computer's shutdown screen	Figure 2: System Control Module with System On and Off buttons

Figure 3: Left side of control desk pulled away from wall.	Figure 4: Backplane of control desk with switch and CAN cable labeled

Figure 5: Closeup of gray CAN Ethernet cable	Figure 6: Closeup of yellow Ethernet cable plugged into host