iDirect X7 to Newtec

MDM2510 Modem
Replacement Procedure
Author: Marlink VSAT Engineering
Date: 5 May 2021
Version: 10
 Table of contents
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Objective ................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Principal Steps of the Replacement Procedure ................................................................................ 4
1.3 Prerequisites ......................................................................................................................................... 4

2. CONTACT MARLINK MARITIME NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER (MNOC) ............................................... 7

3. LOCATE VSAT RACK ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

3.1 Verify X7 Modem Status and Test Connection ................................................................................. 8

4. AUTOCONFIGURE MDM2510 MODEM ..................................................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Ethernet Cable in the MDM2510 Modem .......................................................................................... 9
4.2 Ethernet Cable in the X7 Modem ...................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Power on the MDM2510 Modem ...................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Wait for Autoconfiguration Process to Complete .......................................................................... 11
4.4.1 Detailed Description of the Autoconfigure Process ........................................................... 12

5. CONTACT MNOC TO PROCEED WITH REPLACEMENT ............................................................................................... 13

6. REPLACE X7 MODEM WITH MDM2510 MODEM ............................................................................................................ 13

6.1 Label All Cables................................................................................................................................... 13
6.1.1 Remove All Cables ............................................................................................................. 13
6.2 Remove X7 Modem and Install MDM2510 Modem ........................................................................ 14
6.2.1 Grounding the MDM2510 Modem ...................................................................................... 14
6.3 Connect Cables to MDM2510 Modem .............................................................................................. 14
6.4 Verify MDM2510 Modem Status, Test Connection and contact the MNOC ................................ 15

7. DISPOSITION OF THE X7 MODEM AFTER REPLACEMENT ..................................................................................... 16

8. MNOC CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................................ 16

9. GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17

ANNEX A – DOWNLOADS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18

ANNEX B – MDM2510 AUTOCONFIGURE WARNING LEDS .............................................................................................. 18

ANNEX C – NEWTEC MODEM LED STATUS BASIC OPERATION ................................................................................... 19

ANNEX D – ALTERNATIVE AUTOCONFIGURE LED STATUS ........................................................................................... 20

X7 to MDM2510 Modem Replacement Procedure - Standard © Marlink ● Page 2/20

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objective

This procedure describes how to replace the iDirect X7 modem (referred to below as the X7 modem)
with the Newtec MDM2510 modem (referred to below as the MDM2510 modem) in a standard
Marlink VSAT rack (see before and after diagrams below). As this procedure may have been updated
since the replacement kit was originally shipped, please see Annex A for the instructions to download
the latest version of the procedure. Annex A also includes the instructions to download a video of
the procedure.

Estimated time to complete the replacement is one (1) to two and one half (2-1/2) hours depending
on whether automatic MDM2510 modem software upgrade is necessary. Due to intermittent VSAT
downtime during the replacement process, it is highly recommended that the process be conducted
during a port stay and that those who are doing the replacement have an alternative means of
communication (e.g., mobile phone, Inmarsat FB terminal, Iridium IOP terminal). A telephone within
reach of the VSAT rack is highly recommended.

Please note that if you have also received shipment of an XChange Box from Marlink to replace the
existing XChange Box onboard, you must complete the XChange Box upgrade first and wait two (2)
days to ensure XChange Box is operating properly before undertaking the replacement of the
iDirect X7 modem onboard with the Newtec MDM2510 modem per the procedure following.

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 1.2 Principal Steps of the Replacement Procedure

IMPORTANT If you have a Marlink VSAT

Contact the Marlink
Maritime Network
Operations Center
(MNOC)
laptop used for
Verify X7 modem status troubleshooting it is Connect the MDM2510
Locate the VSAT rack
and test connection important that you modem to the X7 modem
disconnect the Ethernet
cable from the laptop

Wait for the

autoconfiguration to Verify MDM2510 modem
Contact the MNOC to Replace the X7 modem with
complete; this may include status, test connection and Replacement finished
proceed with change the MDM2510 modem
automatic upgrade of the contact the MNOC
MDM2510 modem software

VSAT
Rack
Diagrams

Before X7 to MDM2510 replacement After X7 to MDM2510 replacement

1.3 Prerequisites

You will need the following tools to complete the replacement:

• PH2 Phillips screwdriver

• T30 Torx screwdriver (Ratchet with T30 Torx bit will do)
• Cutter
• 11 mm wrench

X7 to MDM2510 Modem Replacement Procedure - Standard © Marlink ● Page 4/20

X7 to MDM2510 Modem Replacement Procedure - Standard © Marlink ● Page 5/20
Confirm that the replacement kit in the box received from Marlink contains the following parts:
Item name Quantity

MDM2510 modem mounted on rack shelf 1

SD card inserted 1

Power cord EU 1

Power cord US 1

Ethernet (UTP) cable (2 meters) 1

Grounding wire 1

Three (3) labels – RX, TX, and Ethernet 3

iDirect X7 to Newtec MDM2510 Modem Replacement

1
Procedure
Certificate of Compliance (COC) 1

Safety manual 1

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2. CONTACT MARLINK MARITIME NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER (MNOC)

Upon receipt of the replacement kit, it is important that you contact the Marlink Maritime
Network Operations Center (MNOC) so that a mutually agreeable date and time for the
replacement can be scheduled that ensures MNOC is able to support you as needed; failure to do
so could result in unnecessary outages. MNOC contact information is provided in Section 8.

Prior to contacting the MNOC, either by phone or email, please locate the AIRMAC address on the
bottom of or on the front panel of the MDM2510 modem you received from Marlink; see pictures
below. If you send an email, please be sure to include the vessel name, the vessel’s International
Maritime Organization (IMO) number, and the AIRMAC address on the modem. MNOC will either:

1. Confirm readiness to proceed, at which time you can proceed with the replacement
procedure, or

2. If necessary, schedule a mutually agreeable time with the MNOC to proceed with the
replacement produce. Please contact the MNOC at the time scheduled for replacement.

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3. LOCATE VSAT RACK

The VSAT rack layout may vary, but the X7 modem looks the same regardless of the layout. Please
look for the X7 modem as circled in red in the picture below.

3.1 Verify X7 Modem Status and Test Connection

Please verify that all seven (7) LEDs on the front panel of the X7 modem are green.

Conduct the following basic tests to ensure system is operating normally prior to X7 modem
replacement. Failure to perform these tests may lead to unnecessary troubleshooting at a later stage
in the procedure.

o Verify that your telephone lines are operational

✓ Make a call from ship to shore (OUT)
o Verify that your internet connectivity is okay
✓ Test internet connectivity by browsing to a webpage of your choice

If these tests are not successful, please contact the MNOC; MNOC contact information is provided in
Section 8.

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4. AUTOCONFIGURE MDM2510 MODEM

Please follow the steps in this section carefully and in sequence; failure to do so could result in
damage to the modem. The autoconfigure process usually takes around 10-15 minutes but can vary
depending on bandwidth speed. If the process has not completed after 30 minutes, please contact
the MNOC for guidance.

Please note that if you have a Marlink VSAT laptop used for troubleshooting, then it is important that
you disconnect the Ethernet cable from the laptop. The X7 modem only has one (1) IP address to be
distributed with DHCP in the management network, and the MDM2510 modem needs to be assigned
with this distributed IP address from the X7 for the autoconfigure process to succeed.

If the laptop has been connected within the last hour, release the DHCP lease of the IP address by
disconnecting the laptop Ethernet connection and rebooting the X7 modem.

The following presents an overview diagram of MDM2510 modem interconnected with X7 modem
for the autoconfigure process, which is further described below.

4.1 Ethernet Cable in the MDM2510 Modem

Connect the Ethernet cable from the replacement kit to any of the ports at the back of the MDM2510
modem.

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4.2 Ethernet Cable in the X7 Modem

The other end of the Ethernet cable should be connected to any of the empty ports at the back of the
X7 modem.

4.3 Power on the MDM2510 Modem

Insert the power adapter end of the EU or US power cord into the MDM2510 24Vdc port and then
connect the other end to the AC power; this will power on the modem.

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Once power has been turned on, the green LEDs above the Ethernet ports used on the back of the modems will
light as shown below in the overview of the X7 and MDM2510 modems connected for autoconfigure.

4.4 Wait for Autoconfiguration Process to Complete

The power LED on the front panel of the MDM2510 modem will illuminate white and after
approximately thirty (30) seconds the Warning LED will start to flash on and off.

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4.4.1 Detailed Description of the Autoconfigure Process

Once the modem has been turned on, the MDM2510 modem’s LEDs will go through the following
start up sequence:

When the Warning LED on the MDM2510 modem begins flashing on and off every second, then the
modem has successfully completed the autoconfigure process and you can proceed to Section 5. If
the Warning LED does not flash on and off every second, then after thirty (30) minutes, please
contact the MNOC; MNOC contact information is provided in Section 8.

Annex B shows the meaning of the different flashing sequences that the Warning LED may have if an
error occurs.

Please note the modem may already have a configuration and it is downloading it a second time.
Annex D shows LED status for this case.

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5. CONTACT MNOC TO PROCEED WITH REPLACEMENT

Please contact the MNOC either by phone or email to inform that the MDM2510 modem has been
successfully configured and that you are ready to replace the X7 modem. The MNOC will confirm the
configuration and activate the MDM2510 modem so that it is ready for replacement. MNOC contact
information is provided in Section 8.

Please note if you are unable to complete the replacement steps in Section 6 below the same day
you contacted the MNOC to initiate them, you will have to contact the MNOC again before
proceeding with the remaining steps.

6. REPLACE X7 MODEM WITH MDM2510 MODEM

6.1 Label All Cables

Attach the TX, RX and Ethernet labels provided in the replacement kit to the TX, RX and Ethernet
cables going into the X7 modem.

6.1.1 Remove All Cables

Remove the TX, RX, Ethernet, grounding, and power cables from the X7 modem; you may have to use
a cutter to remove any tie wraps holding the cables and a 11mm wrench to loosen the TX and RX
cables.

Before removing cables

After removing cables

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6.2 Remove X7 Modem and Install MDM2510 Modem

If not already powered off, the MDM2510 modem must be powered off before proceeding to the
next step.

Remove all rack screws holding the X7 modem in place and install the MDM2510 modem using the
same screws.

6.2.1 Grounding the MDM2510 Modem

Retrieve the grounding wire provided in the replacement kit. Secure one end of the wire to the
grounding point on the MDM2510 modem as shown below using a PH2 screwdriver and the other
end to the grounding bar on the VSAT rack.

6.3 Connect Cables to MDM2510 Modem

Connect the RX coax cable to RX and the TX coax cable to TX. Connect the Ethernet cable to LAN port
#1. Connect the power cable. Use tie wraps to strap cables to the cabinet as required.

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6.4 Verify MDM2510 Modem Status, Test Connection and contact the MNOC

Power on the MDM2510 modem. The front panel of the MDM2510 modem should look as follows
when it finishes restarting, which should take less than ten (10) minutes.

If the MDM2510 modem LEDs are as pictured above, please contact the MNOC so they can update
settings and complete the necessary calibration (line-up) of the system; MNOC contact information
is provided in Section 8. When the line-up is successfully completed, please conduct the basic tests
that follow to ensure the system is operating normally with the MDM2510 modem:

o Verify that your telephone lines are operational

✓ Make a call from ship to shore (OUT)
o Verify that your internet connectivity is okay
✓ Test internet connectivity by browsing to a webpage of your choice

If all tests pass, you are finished with the replacement and VSAT service is running on the
MDM2510 modem.

If the MDM2510 modem LEDs are as pictured above or if any LEDs are blinking yellow, please contact
the MNOC, who will troubleshoot the problem; MNOC contact information is provided in Section 8.
If the MNOC is not able to solve the problem, they will inform the proper fallback procedure.

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7. DISPOSITION OF THE X7 MODEM AFTER REPLACEMENT

There is no need for you to return the replaced X7 modem to Marlink.

8. MNOC CONTACT INFORMATION

The following presents contact information for the 24/7 MNOC:

EMEA: +47 23 67 00 00

US: +1-346-223-0396

US toll free: +1-855-626-7968

Brazil: +55 21 3500 1662

Email: sealink@marlink.com

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9. GLOSSARY

ACU................................... Antenna Control Unit

dB ………………………. ........... Decibel

FB...................................... Inmarsat Fleet Broadband terminal

DHCP ................................ Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

EU ..................................... European Union

IOP .................................... Iridium Open Port terminal

IP ...................................... Internet protocol

LAN ................................... Local Area Network

LED ……………………. ............ Light Emitting Diode

MNOC ............................... Marlink Maritime Network Operations Center

MooB ................................ Modem out of Band configuration; name of the Autoconfigure file

NET ................................... Network

PC ..................................... Personal Computer (e.g., laptop)

RX ..................................... Receive

S/N.................................... Serial Number

TX...................................... Transmit

US ..................................... United States

VSAT ................................. Very Small Aperture Terminal

X7 ..................................... Model of iDirect modem to be replaced by the MDM2510 modem

MDM2510 ........................ Model of ST Engineering iDirect modem that replaces the X7 modem

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ANNEX A – DOWNLOADS

To check if you have the latest version of this replacement procedure, access
https://portal.sealink.net/idirect. Under the ‘User Guides’ section, check the version number of the
“iDirect X7 to Newtec MDM2510 Modem Replacement Procedure Standard V<nn>” posted there,
where <nn> is the version number. If the version number of the posted procedure is greater than the
version number of this procedure (see page 1 of this procedure for its version number), click “iDirect
X7 to Newtec MDM2510 Modem Replacement Procedure V<nn>”, then enter password ‘ntmigration’
and click submit.

To support you with the iDirect X7 to Newtec MDM2510 modem replacement, you can download an
instructional video at https://portal.sealink.net/idirect. Click “Migration to Newtec – Instruction
Video” in the ‘User Guides’ section, then enter password ‘ntmigration’ and click submit.

Please be aware that the size of the replacement procedure is approximately 2MB and the size of the
video is approximately 35MB. It is therefore recommended to download them using a landline. If
downloaded via satellite (e.g., VSAT, Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya), please be aware that this may
consume your bundle and/or may lead to additional costs.

ANNEX B – MDM2510 AUTOCONFIGURE WARNING LEDS

The WARN LED will indicate the autoconfigure process is running and / or if the process is stuck at
one of the five (5) steps that need to complete.
The WARN LED will continue to show the error when the modem is in default config mode but only
show the error sequence for 30 seconds before continuing to use the previously downloaded config.

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ANNEX C – NEWTEC MODEM LED STATUS BASIC OPERATION

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ANNEX D – ALTERNATIVE AUTOCONFIGURE LED STATUS

It may happen that the modem already has a configuration, and it is downloading it a second time.
The LED status during the second autoconfigure process will be a bit different as below.

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