Appendix B: Bridges and Nodes
The C4L5200 devices have more advanced capabilities for operation in complex networks. These
capabilities relate to the number of bridge devices and node devices allowed in a network.
The C4L5200-ETH can operate in two modes: node mode and bridge mode.
As a node, only one computer is attached to an adapter.
As a multi-device bridge, a switch, router, cable modem, DSL modem, or cluster of devices can be
connected to an adapter.
The C4L5200-USB connected to a PC is a node.
An Ethernet device plugged into a PC with no software installed is a bridge. With software running, it
can be converted to a node. Without software running, an Ethernet device plugged into a PC (or
other single MAC address device) is simplified case of a bridge known as a single-device bridge. As
per the maximum limits of the HomePlug 1.0.1 Specification, each C4L5200 can communicate with 15
simultaneous (bridge or node) devices at full speed. Each entry in the simultaneous device list is aged
every 10 seconds. All other devices will connect in ROBO mode when they are not taking their turn as
full speed connections. As a bridge or a node each C4L5200 device can communicate with an
unlimited number of other Intellon PowerPacket bridge or node devices.
Table 1. Capabilities of C4L5200.
24
Item Capabilities
Max ROBO mode device connections
Large
Max simultaneous connections
15
Max simultaneous (full speed non-ROBO)
multi-device bridges
15
Max simultaneous single-node bridges with no
multi-device bridges
15
Max simultaneous single-node bridges with 1
multi-device bridges
14
Max simultaneous single-node bridges with 2
multi-device bridges
13
Max simultaneous devices behind any single
bridge
16
Max simultaneous total devices behind all
allowed bridges
64
Max simultaneous total devices connected at 79
