3.3. Installation¶
NexLog DX-Series Recorders are computer equipment. They have essentially the same requirements, both physical and electrical, as standard servers, and similar attention should be paid to their environment to assure long life and reliable operation. Site preparation, especially for larger installations, may include providing rack cabinets and concentrating communication wiring – phone lines, radio, etc. – nearby.
Caution
Loggers can be quite heavy, depending upon the model and options.
Do not attempt to lift or install these units without assistance.
Do not attempt to rack mount any model without either shelf or rack-slide support. Rack slides are available as an option from Eventide.
Do not support these units using only the mounting ears.
3.3.1. Operating Limits¶
The installation should allow the units to operate within their electrical and physical operational limits.
For model the operating limits, see the model’s specification page in Section 2: General Specifications
3.3.2. Location Considerations¶
When choosing a location, consider the following:
Operating Limits. The location must respect the unit’s operating limits, as listed in the model’s operating limits section of this manual.
Convenience. If the unit will be operated from its Front Panel, then it should be comfortably accessible to the operator. Service personnel should have access to the unit. If the unit is to be installed in a rack, special rack units that provide a horizontal writing surface are commercially available.
Security. If the unit must be physically secure, then it can be placed in a locked equipment room with limited access. This will also help ensure data security. Consider that a user with access to the unit can remove power, disconnect the input cables, play back recordings, monitor calls, remove archive media, and do other things to compromise your data. Logins are no protection against a determined attacker with physical access to a machine. In short, if you are concerned about malicious users making a purposeful effort to gain unauthorized access to your data, then the only real protection is to place the unit in a secure location.
Cable lengths. For analog signals, such as POTS lines and radio receiver outputs, cable lengths are not likely to be an issue. An adequate level can be obtained hundreds of feet from the signal source. The unit has programmable adjustments for low or high signal levels. That being said, shorter cable lengths will create less signal attenuation and pick-up less noise than longer cable lengths. For tapping digital PBX telephones and T1/E1 circuits, maximum cable lengths are extremely important, and can be different for different makes & models of telephone systems. Contact Eventide technical service for digital-tap cable length information for your particular digital phone system or T1/E1 circuits.
Particulates. The fans and hard drives, can be damaged by smoke and dust. If you find dust build up on the surfaces or the fans being clogged, consider changing the location.
Power dropouts or surges. The unit should be protected from power dropouts and surges. The chosen location should have line power available that is not on the same circuit as equipment that draws a large current on start-up, such as electric motors or compressors or banks of fluorescent lights. Line voltage fluctuations, brown-outs, and power outages can result in loss of data and damage to the unit. An Uninterruptible Power Supply is required to mitigate these problems. For a list of approved UPS units, see Section 3.3.5: Connecting AC Power.
Spilled liquids. Liquids spilled on the unit can damage it. The location should not encourage people to place coffee cups on the unit, for instance.
Vibration and Shock. Vibrating or physically shocking the unit while the hard drives are operating could damage the hard drives. The location should not be subject to vibration or jolting while the unit is operating.
3.3.3. Mounting Options¶
As normally provided, the unit can be mounted on any flat, non-sloping surface that can bear its weight. It can be rack mounted if the rack has a shelf to support it, and the supplied mounting ears can be attached to the rack with the rack screws provided, in order to prevent casual removal.
A rack-slide rail install kit, which includes slide rails, rear slide supports, brackets, and mounting hardware, can be ordered:
4-post Rack-Slide Rail Kit for the NexLog DX-Series 740: Eventide Part# 324430
4-post Rack-Slide Rail Kit for the NexLog DX-Series 840: Eventide Part# 108112
Alternatively, a center rack mounting option is also available:
2-post Center Rack Mount Kit for the NexLog DX-Series 740: Eventide Part# 108109
2-post Center Rack Mount Kit for the NexLog DX-Series 840: Eventide Part# 108110
3.3.4. Other Considerations¶
NexLog 740 DX-Series Recorder: The recorder is shipped with two keys for locking and unlocking the front door of the recorder. One key should be kept in a safe place as a backup spare. You should consider preventing casual access to the other key as well. The switch behind the front panel should be used to power up the recorder only and not be used to power down the recorder unless absolutely necessary. The logger should be shut off using the SETUP/Power Off option. Otherwise, data corruption could occur. If it is necessary to use the switch to shut down the recorder, hold it for one second and release. Do *not* continue holding it until the recorder shuts down.
NexLog 840 DX-Series Recorder: The recorder is shipped with two keys for the power key-switch on the front panel of the recorder. One key should be kept in a safe place as a backup spare. You should consider preventing casual access to the other key as well. The power key-switch should be used to power up the recorder only and not be used to power down the recorder unless absolutely necessary. The logger should be shut off using the SETUP/Power Off option. Otherwise, data corruption could occur. If it is necessary to use the key-switch to shut down the recorder, insert the key, turn it for one second, and release. Do *not* keep the key turned until the recorder shuts down.
3.3.5. Connecting AC Power¶
The recorders use “universal” power supplies. All NexLog DX-Series Recorder systems ship with US type power cords, end customer must provide a country appropriate power cord. This means you can plug the recorder into any line (mains) voltage from 100 volts to 240 volts nominal. However, to prevent unplanned shutdowns caused by power glitches or interruptions, Eventide strongly recommends the use of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) unit that meets certain minimum characteristics:
The UPS must provide power for a long enough period to allow orderly shutdown of the recorder in case of power failure.
If your facility has a backup generator, the UPS should provide power long enough to operate the recorder until the generator becomes operational following the start of a power failure (typically a minute or less) PLUS a period long enough to allow orderly shutdown of the recorder in case of generator failure.
The UPS should be an approved model, i.e., one that can communicate its status to the recorder. This isn’t strictly necessary if your facility is manned and personnel are trained to shut down the recorder using the appropriate procedure in case of power failure before the UPS battery drains. However, an approved UPS will keep the recorder running and automatically signal to the recorder to perform a safe shutdown when its battery power gets low.
Eventide offers commercial-grade, heavy-duty rack-mount UPS units. Eventide has tested the following units and confirms they work with the recorders.
Manufacturer | Rating | Rack Height |
|---|---|---|
APC / Tripp-Lite | 1500VA, 940W, 120V | 2U (3-1/2 inch) |
APC / Tripp-Lite | 1500VA, 940W, 240V | 2U |
APC / Tripp-Lite | 750VA, 120V | 2U |
APC / Tripp-Lite | 750VA, 240V | 2U |
APC / Tripp-Lite | 3000VA, 2700W, 120V | 2U |
APC / Tripp-Lite | 3000VA, 2700W, 240V | 2U |
In addition, consumer-grade UPS units may be available locally and are suitable for more casual installations and shorter run-times. Eventide has tested the following units and confirms that they work with the recorders.
Manufacturer | Model |
|---|---|
APC | Back-UPS ES 500 |
APC | Back-UPS ES 725 |
To connect your recorder to a UPS, simply plug the UPS into an AC socket, and plug the recorder into the UPS using the power cords provided. If you use an approved UPS, also connect the UPS to one of the recorder’s USB connectors on the rear panel using the cable provided with the UPS. This communication link will perform a safe shutdown when necessary, and also allow the recorder to notify you (by display and optionally by email) if there is a power problem.
The NexLog 740 DX-Series Recorder and NexLog 840 DX-Series Recorder recorders are supplied with dual redundant power supplies. To preserve redundancy, it is acceptable to use a separate UPS with each power cord from the recorder.
Caution
The power cords are used to disconnect NexLog DX-Series Recorders from all main power. Remove all power cords before servicing the unit.
3.3.6. Before Connecting Audio¶
Before you connect the telephone lines, radio outputs, or other signals to be tapped and recorded, set the recorder’s internal clock, date, time zone, and channel names. If you are installing new software on a currently operating recorder, disconnect the audio inputs until you have restored the configuration of the recorder, including channel selection and time zone. The reason for this is that the recorder will begin recording as soon as it detects an input signal. Calls with the wrong time, date, and time zone may get recorded and will likely remain on the recorder for a long time. This might be confusing later when you search, filter, and archive calls. Refer to Section 7.1.2 Date and Time of this document for configuration information including Date and Time settings.
3.3.7. Connecting Analog Audio¶
This section applies to units equipped with one or more Analog Input Boards. If you are not sure this board is installed, check the printed back-panel diagram that was packed with your recorder.
Warning
To reduce the risk of fire, use only 26 AWG or larger telecommunication wire.
The Analog Input Board handles interfacing to analog audio signals. The number of channels per board will vary depending on which is ordered.
A mating connector is provided for each board unless a Quick Install Kit has been ordered (see The Optional Quick Install Kit). The connector has two rows of contacts. One row is numbered 1 through 25, and the other row is numbered 26 through 50. Numbering is such that pin 1 is opposite 26, and 25 is opposite 50. Each audio input requires two wires, in what is known as a “balanced” configuration. There is no “ground” connection. The channel and connector pin correspondence is detailed in Appendix C: Channel Wiring for Analog Input Boards.
To connect a telephone line to a given channel, simply connect the two wires to the two pins for that channel. It is not necessary to check or observe polarity.
To connect an audio source such as the line output or recording output of a radio, connect the “hot” lead to one pin and the ground or shield lead to the other. Again, there is no distinction between input pins. Either can be connected to the “hot” lead.
Any audio source may be connected, provided that the audio voltage is nominally in the .1 - 1 Volt range and remains fairly constant. Differing voltage levels are compensated for when setting up the board parameters from the recorder front panel. Not recommended are sources with greatly varying levels, such as “speaker” outputs. Also unusable are “microphone” signals, whose levels are too low by far to be usable without pre-amplification.
3.3.7.1. The Optional Quick Install Kit¶
For each telephone recording board in the recorder, you will have received either a mating blue-ribbon connector, or if ordered as an option, a Quick Install Kit. The connections for the mating blue-ribbon connector are detailed in Appendix C: Channel Wiring for Analog Input Boards. The pins are numbered on the connector itself for reference.
The Quick Install Kit, Eventide part #109033-003 (3-meter cable) and #109033-007 (7-meter cable), include the following components:
| Cable Connects the recorder telephony board to the punch block. The rear-entry connector (right in photo) goes to the recorder and is fastened to the telephony board rear panel with small wire bails on each side. The end-entry (left in photo) RJ‑21 male connector goes to the punch block and is held in place with a Velcro strip.
|
| Punch Block The punch block is a convenient, industry-standard appliance used to connect twisted pair telephone wiring to the recorder. It provides a central location to connect your physical wiring. The 25-pair “Split 50” 66 Block has 50 rows and four columns. Each row contains four connectors (contacts). Each outside contact contains an electrical connection to the one next to it, creating a pair of contacts, but the left pair of contacts are electrically isolated from the right pair of contacts (thus, they are “split”). Using a punch-down tool (not provided), the telephone wires are forced into a slit cut in the contacts in the block, which makes a firm electrical and physical connection. The blocks are usually mounted in the orientation shown. The right side of the block has a female RJ‑21 connector for the cable that goes to the recorder. The left side of the punch block (opposite the RJ‑21 connector) is used to connect the telephone (or other audio) lines. |
| Bridging Clips The right side (nearest the connector) has each column connected to an associated connector pin-pair so that the top row is connected to pin 1, the next row to pin 26, the third to pin 2, etc. Thus, adjacent vertical rows form one signal pair. When you connect the first telephone line, you just start at the top and connect the wire pair to the first two rows on the left. The next wire pair would go to the next two rows down, on the left. Finally, to connect the telephone line to its associated recorder input, slip two bridging clips over the two center contacts in each row. |
The purpose of the punch block system is to centralize your connections, as well as to provide a clean way to isolate the telephone or radio system from the recorder, should it become necessary. The components can be isolated by removing clips, rather than removing wires.
3.3.8. Connecting Digital Audio¶
Note: For tapping digital PBX telephones and T1/E1 circuits, maximum cable lengths are extremely important, and can be different for different makes & models of telephone systems. Contact Eventide technical support for digital-tap cable length information for your particular digital phone system or T1/E1 circuits.
This section applies to units equipped with one or more Digital PBX Station tapping Boards. If you are not sure this board is installed, check the printed back-panel diagram that was packed with your recorder.
Warning
To reduce the risk of fire, use only 26 AWG or larger telecommunication wire.
The Digital PBX Station tapping Board handle interfacing to certain Digital PBX Station makes and models (check with Eventide for compatibility). The number of channels per board will vary depending on which is ordered. Eventide sells 8, 16, and 24 channels versions of the Digital PBX Station tapping Board.
A mating connector is provided for each board unless a Quick Install Kit has been ordered (see Section 3.3.7.1 The Optional Quick Install Kit). The connector has two rows of contacts. One row is numbered 1 through 25, and the other row is numbered 26 through 50. Numbering is such that pin 1 is opposite 26, and 25 is opposite 50. For most Digital PBX systems (except Mitel Supersets, Avaya Index phones, and ROLMphones), each Digital PBX Station requires two wires.
To connect a supported digital PBX telephone line to a given channel, connect the two wires to the two pins for that channel.
3.3.9. Connecting to an Ethernet Network¶
Connect to an Ethernet network by attaching a network cable between the RJ45 jack on the back of the recorder and your hub, switch or router. The cable should be CAT5 or equivalent with a male RJ45 plug for the recorder end and with the connector pin wiring going straight through from end to end. Alternatively, a crossover cable can be used to isolate the recorder from the network and connect directly to a PC’s network connection without using a router or switch. NexLog DX-Series systems have two RJ45 jacks and can be connected to multiple networks simultaneously.
See your model’s Rear Panel section in Section 2: General Specifications for assistance identifying the ethernet port numbers.
3.3.10. Connecting a Keyboard¶
A keyboard can be connected to a recorder to allow easier and faster data entry and interaction than is permitted by the recorder’s optional front panel interface. This can be useful for performing system administration tasks from the front panel and for diagnostic work.
Note
The same configuration capabilities that are available on the Front Panel can be accessed via a web browser from a PC, using the browser-based NexLog DX-Series Configuration Manager. Under most circumstances this will allow for a quicker setup procedure.
The following methods are available for connecting a keyboard to the recorder:
Connect a USB keyboard to any USB connector on the recorder. This may be done while the recorder is running and does not require a shutdown and restart of the recorder.
Connect a PS/2 keyboard to the PS/2 connector on the recorder back panel (purple on the NexLog 740 DX-Series Recorder only). This should be done while the recorder is off, so if the recorder is running, it requires a shutdown of the recorder before it is installed.
3.3.11. Connecting Headphones¶
Optionally, connect headphones to the 1/8-inch jack labeled “Headphone” on the front panel. Suitable headphones are available from Eventide (part# 324200). Most headphones with an appropriate plug can be used and adjusted to a comfortable level with the front panel volume control.
3.3.12. Connecting Line-Level Equipment¶
A line-level audio output is available at the 1/8-inch jack labeled “Line Out” on the front panel, if you wish to connect an external recorder such as a Philips Cassette recorder to the recorder for excerpting calls to cassette. Most standard cassette units with record capability can derive an appropriate signal level from this jack.