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PathTrak Return Path Monitoring System

PathTrak 2.3 Service Pack 6

Service Pack 6 (SP6) for PathTrak Version 2.3 is now available. SP6 provides the latest enhancements and fixes to Version 2.3 PathTrak software ONLY. SP6 must be installed on the PathTrak V2.3 server PC as well as all of the client PCs with the PathTrak V2.3 software. SP6 may be installed on any Version of 2.3 (server/client) regardless of whether or not any service packs have been installed.

Warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL THIS SERVICE PACK UPDATE IF THE SYSTEM IS VERSION 2.2 OR EARLIER (contact your JDSU representative for V2.3 upgrade). IF YOUR SYSTEM IS VERSION 2.2 OR EARLIER, YOU CAN STILL UPGRADE THE HCU AND RPM FIRMWARE AT NO CHARGE (SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS).

Major Features of SP6:

  • Adds the ability to search for device by name (RPM port - RPM card - HCU chassis etc.)
  • Three (3) separate installs are now supported: client/server, interactive client and silent client
    • This allows for remote client updates in a more efficient manner
  • Delta marker added to the monitoring view
  • Delta marker added to the performance history view
  • Provides ability to delete the enhanced alarm view history list
  • False health status alarms have been eliminated
  • Improvements made to event and alarm processing
  • Adds the ability for PathTrak server and client software to work on non-English OS machines (with recommended hardware requirements)
  • A default monitoring plan added that can be used for new installations of RPM cards in the HCU
  • Monitoring plan rounding errors have been corrected
  • Adds constant graph scale to Enhanced alarm view

It is especially important to have SP6 if you are using the optional PathTrak WebView server (remote spectrum analyzer & reporting tool). SP6 also adds compatibility for replacement HCU on-board computer, which started shipping in the summer of 2005.

JDSU recommends that, in order to ensure optimum functionality, as well as full compatibility with any new hardware, especially RPM2000, all firmware should be upgraded in the timeliest fashion possible. (See below for firmware details) This service pack also includes the latest firmware for the HCU1500 and HCU400 (V2.35) as well as both the RPM1000 (V2.32) and the RPM2000 (V1.03). These firmware files are automatically copied to the C:\Program Files\PathTrak\Server\Firmware directory on the PathTrak server PC. SP6 also contains all fixes/features from SP1-SP5. Sequential installation of PathTrak service packs and firmware upgrades is not required. Regardless of your current version of PathTrak 2.3 or the firmware versions, you can install SP6 and upgrade firmware immediately.

Although compatibility with Windows XP SP2 was a major feature of PathTrak SP4, XP SP2 need not be installed. SP6 is for all operating systems that currently support the PathTrak server and client software except Windows98 and Windows NT . Beginning with SP4, Windows98 is no longer supported as a PathTrak client operating system. Windows NT compatibility for the PathTrak client ended with SP5. SP6 should be installed on the PathTrak server and, once installed on the server, must be installed on all client PCs that will be connecting to that server. If SP6 is installed on a PathTrak server but not a remote client, that client will no longer be able to log in to the PathTrak user interface.

PathTrak SP6 may only be installed if the user has Administrator privileges on the PC!

Installation instructions for the PathTrak Server.

SP6 cannot be installed on the PathTrak server PC via remote access (VNC, RAdmin, Windows Remote Desktop, etc.) program. Any attempt to do this will result in the total loss of all data as corruption of the database will occur!!!

SP6 Server can be found at:

Download SP6 Server

This file will update both the server and client software on your PathTrak server PC.

  1. Make certain all clients have logged off the system. Once you are certain everyone is logged out, you may want to disconnect the server from the LAN to insure no one tries to log in.
  2. Locate the list of system services.
    • Control Panel-->Administrative Tools in Win XP
    • Control Panel-->Administrative Tools in Win 2000 Server
    • Control Panel-->Administrative Tools in Win 2003 Server
  3. Locate the following 5 services and set them for manual startup. You may or may not have all 5.
    • PTBackupServer
    • PTSecurityServer
    • PTServer
    • PTStubServer
    • SNMP Service
  4. Reboot the PC
  5. Double click the PT23SP6Server.exe file.
  6. Select a location to back up the current PathTrak databases to.
  7. When prompted, reboot the PC. This completes the SP6 upgrade to the server, as well as the client installed on the server machine.

Installation instructions for all remote PathTrak clients.

SP6 Client (Standard) can be found at:

Download SP6 Client (Standard)

Use this file to update your PC’s that are running PathTrak Client software.

SP6 Client (Silent) can be found at:

Download SP6 Client (Silent)

This version of the client SP6 does not require any acknowledgement. This allows it to be written into a script file and pushed out to the client PC’s.

  1. Make certain the PathTrak client software is not running.
  2. Double click either the PT23SP6Client.exe or the PT23SP6ClientSilent.exe file
  3. When prompted, reboot the PC. (It is normal to see a message that no server was found.) This completes the upgrade to that PathTrak client.
  4. Proceed to the next client machine.

HCU version 2.35 firmware.

In order to support the RPM2000, the HCU software must be at least V2.35. If HCU firmware V2.31 or higher is not installed in the HCU, it can not recognize the RPM2000.

In order to support the WebView V2.0 server software, the HCU firmware must be at least V2.35. See below for link to download HCU firmware V2.35.

RPM1000 version 2.32 firmware.

All RPM1000 cards should be upgraded to V2.32 immediately. In addition to all previous firmware fixes, RPM firmware V2.3 fixes a memory leak issue that may occur when many nodes are being broadcast for long periods of time, during which many spectrum analyzers are used.

RPM2000 version 1.03 firmware.

All RPM2000 cards should be upgraded to V1.03 immediately. In addition to all previous firmware fixes, RPM firmware V1.03 fixes a memory leak issue that may occur when many nodes are being broadcast for long periods of time, during which many spectrum analyzers are used.

Installation instructions for upgrading HCU/RPM firmware.

NOTE: The RPM port needs to be disabled prior to attempting to upgrade the module.

  1. Within the Client System View, highlight the HCU that needs upgraded.
  2. From the Tools menu, select Update Firmware. An Update Firmware dialog box is displayed. The Devices list includes the HCU or the RPM devices connected to the selected HCU.
  3. Select the appropriate device, click Update. A Choose Version dialog box is displayed. The list includes the version the HCU or RPM is currently running and the various firmware upgrades available.
  4. Select the appropriate version number, click OK. An Acterna PathTrak confirmation dialog box is displayed.
  5. Click OK.

IF YOUR SYSTEM IS VERSION 2.2 OR EARLIER, YOU CAN STILL UPGRADE THE HCU AND RPM FIRMWARE AT NO CHARGE

The following link will automatically download the latest firmware for the HCU1500 and HCU400 (V2.35) as well as both the RPM1000 (V2.32) and the RPM2000 (V1.03). These firmware files are automatically copied to the C:\Program Files\PathTrak\Server\Firmware directory on the PathTrak server PC. Please follow the above installation instructions for upgrading HCU/RPM firmware.

Download Free Firmware Upgrades for the HCU

Download Free Firmware Upgrades for the RPM1000 and RPM2000

If problems are encountered, or if the installation fails, contact The JDSU CATV TAC at catvsupport@jdsu.com or call the Technical Assistance Center at 1-317-614-8350.