Cabletron Systems 9E428-36, User Manual

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Introduction
1-2
Features
Processor
The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 modules are equipped with an advanced Intel
i960 microprocessor. This microprocessor provides a platform for all management
functions such as Spanning Tree, RMON, and MIB support, within a scalable
RISC-Based architecture.
Fast Packet Switching
The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 modules incorporate a hardware based switch
design referred to as the SmartSwitch ASIC, a collection of custom ASICs
designed specifically for high speed switching. Because all frame translation,
address lookups, and forwarding decisions are performed in hardware, these
modules can obtain a throughput performance of greater than 750K pps.
Management
The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 feature SNMP for local and remote
management. Local management is provided through the RS-232 COM ports on
the SmartSwitch 9000 Environmental Module, using a standard VT-220
TM
terminal or emulator. Remote management is possible through Cabletron’s
SPECTRUM or any SNMP-compliant management tool. Included as management
features are the IETF Standard Management Information Base (MIBs) RMON
(RFC1271), IETF MIB II (RFC-1213), IETF Bridge MIB (RFC-1493), and a host of
other Cabletron enterprise MIBs. These modules also offer you a wide variety of
statistical network management information to enhance network planning and
troubleshooting. The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 provide information for each
front panel Ethernet 10BASE-FL port, including packet counts along with errored
frame information such as collisions, CRCs, and Giants, via a variety of industry
standard and private MIBS. Industry standard IEEE 802.1d bridging, including
Spanning Tree Algorithm, is supported.
Connectivity
The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 modules have one interface to the INB and
either 12 or 36 front port ST connectors. The INB interface is a fixed connection to
INB-B that allows the 9E428 and 9E429 modules to communicate with other
SmartSwitch 9000 modules supporting various LAN technologies including:
Token Ring, FDDI, Ethernet, WAN and ATM. The 9E428-12/36 multimode ST
connectors provide 12 or 36 Ethernet 10BASE-FL connections, with links up to
2000 meters in length, when operating in half duplex. The 9E429-12/36 single
mode ST connectors provide 12 or 36 Ethernet 10BASE-FL connections, with links
up to 5000 meters in length, when operating in half duplex.
Standard Ethernet/Full Duplex Operation
The 9E428-12/36 and 9E429-12/36 modules support 10BASE-FL. The use of
10BASE-FL allows each port on the modules to be configured, through local and
or remote management (SNMP), to operate in standard Ethernet mode (simplex)