2. REQUIREMENTS

The following sections cover all required high-level and low-level installation tasks for this deployment.

2.1. Licensing

The Eventide Communications partner/reseller must request an ASTRO P25 recording API license from Eventide Communications. The request must include the following:

  • ASTRO System Release Version

  • End user site name, as known by Motorola Solutions (e.g. City of Richmond, VA)

  • Name of Motorola Solutions Sales or Service representative that supports the end-user site

Eventide Communications will acquire and execute the appropriate license documents within 2-3 weeks.

Note

Licensing must be completed before installation planning can proceed.

2.2. IP Network Connectivity

The Eventide Communications NexLog DX-Series recorder is equipped with two (or more) IP Network Interface Cards (NIC). One NIC connects to the Customer Enterprise Network and enables playback, management, and control of recordings that reside on the NexLog DX-Series recorder. The second NIC connects to the Motorola Solutions RNI via a firewall provided either by Motorola Solutions or an approved third party.

2.3. Software Connectivity

To enable the NexLog DX-Series recorder to access voice media and metadata on the AIS, the Eventide Communications software referred to as “The Eventide Proxy for AIS”, must be installed on the AIS server. This software acts as a gateway used for communication between the NexLog DX-Series recorder and the Motorola ASTRO P25 radio system. The Eventide Proxy for AIS uses the MCC 7500 Logging API to perform the following functions on behalf of the NexLog DX-Series recorder:

  • Relay events and commands to and from the recorder.

  • Request Logging Resource Assignments (note that the AIS limits the quantity to 256).

  • Request Logging Resource De-assignments.

  • Request Critical Resource Selects (critical resources will be given priority for audio delivery to the recorder if the AIS computer is running at, or near, full capacity).

  • Assign the Logging Destination (the network address of the recorder).

  • Receive call-by-call event data.

  • Receive change notifications from the radio system’s Network Management System.

In summary, the Eventide Proxy for AIS will be used to communicate between the recorder and the Motorola ASTRO P25 radio system.

2.4. Detailed Deployment Checklist

The NexLog DX-Series Recording Integration with Motorola ASTRO P25 AIS deployment must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Physical Installation:

    The Eventide Communications partner/reseller will physically install the NexLog DX-Series recorder and run and connect all required cabling. Depending on whether this is a new or existing ASTRO 25 installation, Motorola Solutions/partner/reseller will physically install the AIS, VPM, and any other required components.

  2. Collect Required Data and IP Addresses:

    The most effective way to ensure a successful installation/turn up is to have all required information available and have remote access to the NexLog DX-Series recorder on the end customer’s network. Eventide Communications must have remote access and/or confirm the availability of the following information before proceeding with the on-site installation.

    The data required includes:

    • Username/password for access to the Motorola ASTRO P25 system.

    • Username/password for the Motorola AIS Server.

    • IP addresses of all relevant components.

    • Voice resources or Talk Groups to be recorded.

    • Completing the worksheets in Appendix A.

  3. Configure the NexLog DX-Series recorder on the CEN.

    a . From the front panel, or from the Web Configuration Manager configure the IP Address, netmask, gateway, and broadcast IP of the recorder (as specified in Appendix A), by navigating to Networking–> Network Interfaces). Refer to Section 7.2.2, Network Interfaces of the NexLog DX-Series User Manual for further details.

    b . Eventide Communications/partner verifies the NexLog DX-Series recorder software version. If the recorder is not running the latest software version, it must be upgraded to the latest version at this time.

    Note

    Motorola recommends establishing connectivity by using the firewall to set up a DMZ domain and implementing double NAT through the DMZ.

    c . Before upgrading, be sure to archive the current configuration. Refer to Section 7.4.2. Archive Configuration of the NexLog DX-Series User Manual.

    d . Configure and verify Motorola AIS connectivity to and from the NexLog DX-Series recorder.

    Note

    A Motorola Solutions representative may need to program the AIS/VPM with any decryption keys necessary for any encrypted talk-groups/channels to be recorded.

  4. The Motorola Solutions representative or a designated resource configures the firewall as follows:

    a . UDP packets to be passed on port 60000 from the AIS to the NexLog DX-Series recorder.

    b . UDP packets to be passed on port 49669 from the NexLog DX-Series recorder to the AIS.

    c . Eventide Communications/partner confirms that the AIS can send, and that the NexLog DX-Series recorder can receive, UDP packets on port 60000.

    d . Eventide Communications/partner confirms that the NexLog DX-Series recorder can send, and that the AIS can receive UDP packets on UDP port 49669.

    e . You can verify steps a through d by installing “udptesttool.exe” on the AIS (via USB thumb drive) to transmit UDP test packets, while the NexLog DX-Series recorder is running a packet capture from the setup menu, that is, from Setup –> Networking –> Packet Capture.

    f . Alternatively, you can verify steps a through d by running the Netcat utility from the NexLog DX-Series recorder under Utilities –> Network Utilities –> Netcat.

    Note

    If you plan on selecting more than 100 talk groups for recording, any additional talk groups over 100 will use from port 40101 upwards. So additional ports above 40100 must be opened accordingly.

  5. The Motorola Solutions representative or designated resource configures the firewall as follows:

    a . Allow the Motorola VPM to send UDP packets to the NexLog DX-Series recorder on UDP ports 40000-40100.

    b . Eventide Communications/partner verifies that the NexLog DX-Series recorder can receive UDP packets on ports 40000-40100. Since udptesttool.exe cannot be run on the VPM, the AIS will be used to transmit test UDP packets from the RNI.

    c . This can be done by installing “udptesttool.exe” on the AIS (via USB thumb drive), while the NexLog DX-Series recorder is running a packet capture from the setup menu, i.e., Setup –> Networking –> Packet Capture. Or, if the VPM is processing live data, instead run a packet capture on the recorder.

    d . Confirm access to the Motorola AIS Server and ASTRO 25 resources.

    Motorola Solutions/end customer provides a list of conventional available channels or Talk Groups requested to be recorded. (See Appendix A).

  6. Install the Eventide Proxy for AIS on the AIS Workstation.

    • Eventide Communications/partner or Motorola Solutions installs the Eventide Proxy for AIS on the AIS workstation, typically from a USB thumb drive.

  7. Create and configure a Virtual Recording Interface board on the NexLog DX-Series recorder.

    a . Eventide Communications/partner on recorder selects Recording –> Boards –> Add Virtual Recording Interface.

    b . Select the Eventide AIS Proxy template.

    c . Select Detect Proxy. Available conventional channel resources or Talk Groups are now displayed on-screen.

    d . Verify that all channel resources and/or talk groups requested for recording are available for selection (there may be more than requested).

    e . Select Channel Allocation, Static or Dynamic and select Dynamic. Static allocation is no longer supported.

  8. Partner/customer performs final acceptance testing:

    a . Eventide Communications/partner verifies each recording resource name against the requirements in Appendix A and confirms recording quality on every channel.

    b . Eventide Communications/customer verifies capture of metadata (e.g. radio ID, etc.).

  9. On-site acceptance:

    • Customer accepts the solution with Motorola Solutions partner.

  10. Backup configuration files:

    • Eventide Communications/partner, Motorola Solutions, back up configuration files for the AIS, VPM, Firewall and NexLog DX-Series recorder.

  11. All parties confirm completion:

    • Eventide Communications will follow up with partner to verify and assist with any issues post-installation.