You should always be familiar with the reset or recovery process of your equipment.
Sometimes you need to reset some equipment so you can configure it from scratch, or no one knows the password.
Then there are those moments when a firmware upgrade fails, the equipment reports random system errors, or acts ‘strange’ after a power outage.
I ran into an issue where a router was constantly reporting processes crashing 24/7. This router was in my lab with no interface facing the internet and no traffic running through it, so
it was pretty idle and still spat out errors constantly. Of course, I tried setting it back to factory with no change.
The first thing I did was compare it against other similar model routers with the same firmware to ensure that these messages were somehow normal. Whew, no other router was reporting any of these messages.
I tried unsuccessfully to upgrade the firmware via UISP management console, the router's web interface, and via the CLI/SSH session.
I then contacted Ubiquiti to get the latest firmware upgrade instructions since the only instructions I found online were 5 years or older. Even though it looked like what I just did, I started by resetting the router to factory and tried multiple times with no luck.
I reported my results back to Ubiquiti along with screen shots and detailed notes. Ubiquiti responded with the router recovery procedure.
Here’s the weird part: I must have tried the procedure a dozen times with no luck and firmware error messages. Every time I reset the router back to factory, I powered it off and back on.
This morning, I thought why don’t I make a video on the process since I couldn’t find anything current and had to set up a DHCP server for the router to get an IP address since the documented IP address was incorrect.
Murphy's law kicked in, and it worked this morning.
The Sampo 9519 is a rare and fascinating piece of television history, introduced in 1981 by the Sampo Corporation of America, a Taiwanese-based company known for its innovative electronics. This unique tri-screen color TV features a 19-inch main color screen flanked by two smaller 5-inch black-and-white screens, each equipped with its own independent tuner and controls. Marketed as a cutting-edge consumer product, the Sampo 9519 allowed viewers to watch three different channels simultaneously or even monitor external inputs like security cameras, making it a standout in an era when picture-in-picture technology was still emerging. Its bold design and functionality reflect the early 1980s’ appetite for ambitious, over-the-top gadgets, blending practicality with a touch of extravagance.
Despite its innovative concept, the Sampo 9519 was not a commercial success, likely due to its high cost, substantial weight—reportedly around 200 pounds—and niche appeal. The television’s main color screen delivered a standard NTSC picture, while the smaller monochrome screens offered a more limited but still functional viewing experience, with one capable of accepting composite video input. This setup could have been a dream for multitaskers, such as sports enthusiasts or stockbrokers, but its bulky size and the lack of sound output from the smaller screens may have deterred widespread adoption. Today, the Sampo 9519 is celebrated as a quirky relic of retro technology, often popping up in thrift stores, online auctions like eBay, or as a showcase prize on vintage episodes of The Price Is Right, where its novelty surely turned heads.
The Sampo 9519’s construction and aesthetic are quintessentially 1980s, with a wood-grain veneer finish and a hefty CRT (cathode ray tube) design that housed its three screens. Manufactured in Taiwan, it was imported to the U.S. by Sampo Corporation of America, based in Elk Grove, Illinois, and retailed as a premium product with a power consumption of 135 watts. Enthusiasts and collectors now prize it for its rarity and oddball charm, though surviving units often show signs of wear, such as peeling veneer or missing knobs, as seen in various listings. Its appeal lies not just in its functionality but in its embodiment of an era when manufacturers weren’t afraid to experiment with bold, unconventional ideas, even if they didn’t always resonate with the masses.
Trivia : Did you know the Sampo 9519 has a surprising pop culture connection? It appeared as a prize on The Price Is Right in 1984, delighting audiences with its futuristic tri-screen setup—viewers have spotted it in reruns as recently as 2024! The TV’s name, “Sampo,” might also hint at a nod to Finnish mythology, where the Sampo is a magical artifact, though the company itself was Taiwanese. Despite its three screens, only the main one had sound, leaving the smaller screens silent, and its remote—when included—often no longer works in surviving units, adding to its quirky legacy. At one point, a unit listed on eBay for $2,800 garnered over 200 watchers, proving its cult status among retro tech aficionados.
In the evolving world of broadcast and professional AV (Audio/Video) systems, the transition from traditional SDI-based infrastructures to IP-based media transport has been a significant
development. Two major standards that have emerged to facilitate this transition are SMPTE 2110 and IPMX (Internet Protocol Media Experience). While SMPTE 2110 is primarily used in broadcast environments, IPMX is designed to meet the needs of the Pro AV industry. The most significant difference between the two standards is that SMPTE 2110 uses Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for its timing synchronization while IPMX uses RTCP packets.
Even though SMPTE 2110 and IPMX networks are different they both have the common requirement that monitoring is essential for ensuring the reliability, performance, and efficiency of IP-based media transport. Here are the key reasons why monitoring is crucial:
1. Ensuring Stream Integrity
SMPTE 2110 and IPMX separate video, audio, and metadata into different streams, making it vital to monitor each component for packet loss, jitter, and synchronization issues.
2. Maintaining Low Latency
SMPTE 2110 support live production environments that require ultra-low latency. Similarly low
latency is critical for IPMX applications such as live presentations, conferencing, and digital
signage. Monitoring helps detect delays or network congestion that could impact real-time
operations.
3. Synchronization and PTP Monitoring
SMPTE 2110 relies on PTP for synchronization. Any deviation in timing can cause drift or loss of sync, affecting live broadcasts. IPMX allows for simpler timing methods and monitoring
synchronization ensures that audio and video remain in sync, preventing lip-sync issues or dropped frames.
4. Troubleshooting and Fault Detection
Issues such as packet drops, incorrect stream configurations, and network congestion can disrupt broadcasts. Monitoring provides real-time alerts and diagnostic tools for quick troubleshooting.
5. Bandwidth Optimization
SMPTE 2110 networks transmit high-bandwidth uncompressed video. IPMX allows both
uncompressed and compressed streams, which can heavily impact network bandwidth. Monitoring helps optimize network usage, balance network load and prevent bottlenecks.
6. Compliance and Quality Assurance
Broadcast networks must meet industry standards and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Monitoring ensures compliance with SMPTE 2110 guidelines and guarantees high-quality output. Since IPMX supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and Digital Rights Management (DRM), monitoring ensures that content remains compliant and is not illegally intercepted or altered.
7. Security and Anomaly Detection
IP-based networks are vulnerable to cyber threats. Monitoring helps detect unauthorized access, unusual traffic patterns, and potential security breaches.
8. Scalability and Future-Proofing
As networks grow, continuous monitoring ensures scalability while maintaining performance,
helping broadcasters plan for future expansions. By actively monitoring SMPTE 2110 networks, broadcasters can prevent disruptions, maintain high-quality service, and ensure a seamless transition to IP-based workflows. By actively monitoring an IPMX network, organizations can ensure reliable, high-quality AV distribution, reduce downtime, improve security, and optimize network resources for future needs.
SMPTE 2110 Monitoring Finds Intermittent Issue
A national broadcaster detected a video issue on their SMPTE 2110 network couldn’t resolve since
it occurred infrequently and seemed intermittent.
The broadcaster connected the PacketStorm VIP-Monitor (monitors video, audio, and ancillary
streams) to their SMPTE 2110 network and the monitor detected the video issue. The VIP-Monitor has sixteen different alarm types with user settable thresholds. The monitor displays any flow issues on its top page (see Figure 1). The Red line indicates an error and the error was occurring every fifteen hours.
Figure 1 – Flows Monitor Display
Upon detecting the error, the monitor logs and describes the error. The VPI-Monitor described the error as an invalid RTP Timestamp.
Upon detecting the error, the monitor captures fifty packets before and after the error (see Figure 3).
The packet capture shows the RTP Sequence numbers are good but there is a five second interval between packets 49 and 50.
Figure 3 – Packet Capture before & after Error
There are three possibilities for causing errors: sender, network, and receiver. The monitor found flows with the same error from multiple senders which indicates the issue is either the network or the receiver. The monitor acts as a receiver and detected the five second interval which means the receiver is not at fault. Upon debugging the network, it was discovered the PTP clock on a boundary clock switch would become unlocked once every fifteen hours. When the PTP clock became unlocked the sender would stopped sending flows until the clock came back.
About PacketStorm Communications
PacketStorm Communications, Inc. develops multiple media monitors, capture and replay systems, IP network emulators, and stream replicators. By developing proprietary hardware and software, PacketStorm has created test equipment that can be used to extensively test networking applications that are available today as well as future technologies that have yet to be deployed PacketStorm is a privately held company founded in 1998 by a team of engineers and managers from the prestigious Bell Laboratories. With extensive backgrounds and experience in both network development and testing, PacketStorm continues to focus on the needs of IP developers and network managers. PacketStorm’s world headquarters in New Jersey handles product engineering, marketing, and customer support.
