Troubleshooting: OCELOT

Troubleshooting: OCELOT

Problem: it is possible that the ixon-server cannot be started due to a lock file present in /tmp, however the server is not running.

This could happen after a power failure or other malfunction, e.g. a crash of the ixon-server.

• Solution: If you are absolutely sure that the server is not running (check ps aux | grep ixon-server), delete /tmp/tcs.lck.

Problem: After a shutdown/power failure, the shutter parameters might be reset.

During exposures the shutter will not open, resulting in dark frames. This can be tested e.g. by trying to obtain flat field frames.

• Solution: Before doing anything, check the following trivial possibilities:
  • The dome is not open
  • The dome and the telescope are not looking in the same direction
  • Tube and mirror covers are closed
  • One or both filter wheels are not in the correct position.

If none of them are the cause of your problem, do the following, with the help of the support astronomer. DO this only, if you are absolutely sure that nothing above can cause your problem!

To set the correct shutter parameters, first disconnect from the camera on m16, and exit the GUI. Then stop the ixon-server via telnet:

telnet localhost 32768

After connecting to the server, the command shutdown stops the server itself. The connection can be terminated by closeconn. After stopping the ixon-server, the correct parameters can be set by

root@emccdrcc:~# serial -c /dev/ttyUSB0 -b 38400
SCSONT 70
SCSOFFT 100

Exit with Ctrl-D. Restart the ixon-server that was probably running in screen:

screen -r
ixon-server /usr/local/etc/ixon-server/ixon-server.cfg

Leave the screen by pressing Ctrl-A-D.

Problem: The ixon-gui is not responding, and after restarting it, it cannot connect, and the ixon-server cannot be stopped via telnet.

It can happen after really long observing blocks.

• Solution: You have to kill -9 the ixon-server process, and restart it.