Moving Meridian Mail
Introduction
With 'Half Network-Group' systems (Option 51's) there are just 16 Network Loops, or 4 Superloops, available. If an additional Superloop is needed when none appears to be free, one solution maybe to move Meridian Mail. Meridian Mail requires a Loop, NOT a Superloop, but it is often installed in a Superloop slot (commonly Loop 12 on 51C's).
There are two Network Cards:
- QPC414 - ENET Network Card, with two loops per card
- NT8D04 - XNET Superloop Network Card, with four loops per card, but grouped as a Superloop
A Superloop (XNET) network card physically requires one card slot, but its adjacent slot cannot be used by either ENET or TDS/Conf cards, due to address limitations. It must remain empty.
However the slot next to an ENET card can be equipped with non-network cards (ESDL, MSDL, etc.). Knowing this is useful when trying to to free a network slot.
Procedure
This procedure explains how to move Meridian Mail from Network Loop 12 to Network Loop 2 (slot 1), which is often free. Slot 0 typically contains the TDS/Conf card (loop's 0 and 1).
1. Find/create an available network slot - slot 1 should be free (it usually is). If there is a QSDI (or similar) card in slot 1, it can be safely moved to slot 3, ie, between Superloop 4 and 8, thus freeing slot 1 (loop's 2 & 3) for the Meridian Mail ENET card.
2. Having freed slot 1, courtesy down Meridian Mail.
3. Disable Loop 12 in LD 32 with REQ: DISL 12
4. Print, then delete all the ACD Agents (ACDN's) associated with loop 12 - this can be done in MAT
5. Physically move Meridian Mail's ENET card from loop 12 to loop 2 (slot 1).
6. In LD 17, remove loop 12.
CEQU: at the TERD prompt, enter X12
LD 17 REQ: CHG TYPE: CEQU <enter until...> TERD: X12
7. In LD 17, add loop 2.
CEQU: at the TERD prompt, enter 002
LD 17 REQ: CHG TYPE: CEQU <enter until...> TERD: 002
8. Re-enter the ACD Agent ACDN's (deleted above) on loop 2. Note: use the printout as a reference, they'll remain exactly as printed, but the loop number is now 2.
9. At the Meridian Logon prompt, type TOOLS, and enter you admin password when prompted. You are now able to configure Meridian Mail. Select "Modify Configuration" (DSP Ports). Change all occurrences of loop 12 to loop 2 and hit SAVE. Back out to the logout screen, and re-boot the system. Note: it will take 1 to 2 hours for Meridian Mail to re-boot.
10. When the log-on screen appears, login normally and "courtesy activate" the system. DSP Port status should respond "IDLE". A prolonged "Loading" response indicates that Loop 2 is either not enabled or configured.
11. Dial the Meridian Mail access number, and rejoice when the Meridian Mail lady answers!
12. Beer time ;-)