Cabletron Systems SPECTRUM, User Manual

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Chapter 1
Introduction to SPMA
for the 7C0x SmartSwitch
How to use the 7C0x SmartSwitch User’s Guide; manual conventions; contacting Cabletron Technical
Support; 7C0x SmartSwitch firmware versions supported by SPMA
Your SPMA for the 7C0x SmartSwitch management module provides
management support for all three models in the 7C0x SmartSwitch family. The
7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch functions as a chassis within a chassis; residing in an
MMAC-series hub, it occupies two module slots and provides three slots of its
own — one for the 7X00 SmartSwitch Control Module, and two for its own family
of Network Interface Modules, or NIMs. The
7C04 Workgroup SmartSwitch is a
stand-alone chassis that offers four slots: one for the controller, and three for
NIMs. The
7C04-R Workgroup SmartSwitch supplies all the features of the 7C04
along with the additional fault tolerance provided by a pair of redundant
load-sharing power supplies and a removable fan tray. The 7C04-R can also
accept the new double-wide NIM modules (in slots 3 and 4) for additional front
panel connectivity.
At the heart of each 7C0x SmartSwitch hub is its 7X00 SmartSwitch Control
Module, which supervises access to the switching backplane and performs all
forwarding, filtering, and connection management functions; a variety of NIM
modules provide connectivity for FDDI, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and ATM
networks. NIM modules currently available include:
TIP
The 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch chassis provides no network connection to the MMAC
backplane (from which it draws only power). If you wish to connect one or more networks
from the MMAC chassis to the SmartSwitch chassis, you must do so via the front panel
ports available on both the MMAC MIMs and the SmartSwitch NIMs.