Cabletron Systems 9F426-02, User Manual

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1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
The 9F426-02 FDDI SmartSwitch
®
Module shown in Figure 1-1, is a three port
switch module with two front panel FDDI interfaces and one INB-2 backplane
interface. The external FDDI networks are connected to the module using
standard Cabletron FPIMs on the front panel. The 9F426-02 module employs
SmartSwitch ASIC, a high performance switch design, and an Intel i960
microprocessor. The module can redirect one or both of its front panel FDDI
interfaces to the FNB backplane, creating an INB-1 to FNB bridge/switch product
that allows a migration from FNB modules to INB-1 modules.
Features
Processor
The 9F426-02 is equipped with an advanced Intel i960 microprocessor. This
microprocessor provides a platform for all management functions within a
scalable RISC-based architecture.
Packet Switch Engine
The 9F426-02 module incorporates the SmartSwitch ASIC, a collection of custom
ASlCs designed specifically for high-speed switching. The SmartSwitch ASIC bus
is 64-bits wide with a bandwidth of 320 Mbps. Since all frame translation, address
lookups, and forwarding decisions are performed in hardware, the 9F426-02 can
obtain a throughput performance of greater than 750K pps.