Publication No. GBX24-0HH/2
Introduction 11
1 •
Introduction
The
GE
Intelligent
Platforms
GBX24
is
a
high
performance
ruggedized
intelligent
Gigabit
Ethernet
switch
providing
the
connective
flexibility
of
up
to
twenty
four
1000/100/10
Mbps
ports,
optionally
configured
as
24
copper
Gigabit
ports
or
20
copper
Gigabit
ports
and
4
fiber
ports
(SX
and
LX
optics
options
are
available).
The
GBX24
incorporates
advanced
management
software
allowing
guaranteed
bandwidth
per
port
or
per
VLAN.
Port
aggregation
allows
multiple
ports
to
act
as
a
single
trunk,
or
provides
redundant
ports
for
reliability
within
your
network.
The
Gigabit
switch
uses
store
‐
and
‐
forward
switching
architecture
that
filters
and
forwards
data
after
the
complete
data
packet
is
received
and
examined
to
be
free
of
errors.
Front
panel
LEDs
allow
for
easy
recognition
of
the
switch
operation
status
and
for
troubleshooting.
All
Gigabit
ports
support
both
full
and
half
duplex
operation,
which
can
provide
up
to
2000
Mbps
of
bandwidth
to
the
connected
devices,
with
auto
‐
negotiation
providing
the
capability
to
connect
to
10/100/1000
Mbps
network
devices.
The
GBX24
also
supports
back
‐
pressure
and
IEEE
802.3x
advanced
flow
control
capability,
which
can
reduce
congestion
and
prevent
packet
loss.
In
addition,
all
ports
support
the
MDI/MDI
‐
X
auto
‐
detect
function.
This
allows
connection
of
any
device
(including
embedded
Ethernet
adapters
and
Switches/Hubs)
to
the
port
of
this
switch
using
the
regular
cable,
with
the
RJ
‐
45
port
auto
‐
detecting
and
auto
‐
switching
to
MDI/MDI
‐
X
mode
without
requiring
an
uplink
port
or
cross
‐
over
cable.
The
GBX24
is
fully
integrated
and
provides
management
software.
As
standard,
the
GBX24
incorporates
Built
‐
In
‐
Test
(BIT),
which
provides
extensive
and
configurable
testing
of
the
GBX24
hardware.
The
GBX24
provides
maximum
throughput
and
flexibility
for
demanding
networks,
with
all
the
layer
3
features
you
expect.
The
rugged
GBX24
is
ideal
as
a
backbone
for
a
gigabit
server
or
as
the
robust
core
of
a
demanding,
all
‐
gigabit
network.
The
GBX24
layer
3/4
managed
Gigabit
switch
provides
both
layer
2
and
layer
3
switching
functionality.
Its
high
‐
performance
design
offers
a
comprehensive
set
of
features:
•
Switching:
Port
trunking,
broadcast
storm
protection,
extensive
VLAN
support,
IGMP
snooping,
Rapid
Spanning
Tree
and
link
aggregation
•
Quality
of
Service:
DiffServ
and
bandwidth
provisioning
The
GBX24
is
available
in
a
range
of
build
styles,
from
Level
1
(Standard),
suitable
for
a
benign
office
‐
like
environment,
right
through
to
Level
5
(Rugged
Conduction
‐
cooled),
capable
of
withstanding
the
harshest
of
environments.
