Testladen

Getting started

This guide takes you from a sealed box to your first test run. Read the Safety information first.

Unboxing and inspection

  1. Inspect the outer packaging for shipping damage before opening. Photograph any damage and report it to support.
  2. Remove the appliance and accessories. Check the contents against the package list.
  3. Inspect the chassis, connectors and any fitted modules for damage or loose parts.
  4. Keep the original packaging for transport and warranty returns.

Rack mounting (19″ installation)

Testladen is a 3U, 19-inch appliance for front mounting in a standard EIA-310 rack.

  1. Attach the supplied rack ears to the front of the chassis.
  2. Install rails or a support shelf rated for at least 10 kg. The rack ears retain the unit but must not carry its full weight.
  3. Slide the appliance in and secure the ears with cage nuts and screws.
  4. Leave ventilation clearance: ≥ 50 mm at the front intake and rear exhaust, Airflow is front-to-rear.
  5. For a desktop install, fit the self-adhesive feet and place the unit on a stable, level surface with the same clearances.

Power connection and first boot

  1. Confirm the mains supply is within 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
  2. Connect the supplied IEC cable to the inlet and to an earthed outlet.
  3. Set the rear power switch to I. The PWR LED lights solid green.
  4. The SYS LED shows amber while booting and turns solid green when the appliance is ready (typically under 30 seconds).

If the SYS LED shows red, see Troubleshooting.

Network setup

Testladen manages over its 1000BASE-T (RJ45) management port.

  1. Connect the MGMT port to your lab network with an Ethernet cable.
  2. By default the appliance requests an address via DHCP and advertises itself over mDNS as testladen.local.
  3. Confirm the LINK LED on the management port is lit.

Discover the appliance from your workstation:

testladen-cli discover

NAME             ADDRESS          SERIAL        FW
testladen.local  192.0.2.42       TL-000123     1.4.2

If mDNS is unavailable on your network, address the appliance by its IP or configure a static address over the USB-C console (see below).

Initial configuration

You can configure the appliance from the CLI, the web UI or the USB-C console.

CLI — point the tool at the appliance and set core options:

testladen-cli --host testladen.local config set hostname bench-01
testladen-cli --host testladen.local config set network.mode dhcp
testladen-cli --host testladen.local config set time.ntp pool.ntp.org

USB-C console — connect the supplied cable to the CONSOLE port and open a serial terminal at 115200 8N1 for out-of-band access, including static IP configuration.

Full command details are in Operation.

Quick-start: your first test run

This walkthrough powers a DUT and confirms it responds — assuming a power-control module in slot 1 and a serial module in slot 2.

  1. Connect your DUT's power input to the power-control module and its serial console to the serial module.

  2. List the installed modules and confirm they are detected:

    testladen-cli --host testladen.local module list

  3. Power the DUT rail on:

    testladen-cli --host testladen.local power on --rail dut-main

  4. Open the DUT console and watch it boot:

    testladen-cli --host testladen.local serial open --module slot2 --baud 115200

  5. When finished, power the rail back down:

    testladen-cli --host testladen.local power off --rail dut-main

You've run your first test. Continue to Operation for the full workflow, and Maintenance to keep the appliance in good order.