Olicom CrossFire 8600, Manual To Operations

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CrossFire 8600/8605 Token-Ring Switches v. 1.2, P/N: 710001641 Overview and Specifications
The CrossFire 8600 and the CrossFire 8605 can easily connect with other CrossFire
products to deliver a broad range of network carrying capacity. Bandwidth is easily
scaled to meet all performance requirements.
Switch of Servers
With client/server applications, many client workstations may attempt to access a
single server at the same time. This traffic pattern may create bottlenecks at the
server. To further enhance performance, the CrossFire 8600 and the CrossFire 8605
can deliver dedicated bandwidth to high-speed file servers. All servers perform
better with dedicated 16 Mbps bandwidth.
Even better performance can be achieved by installing multiple adapters in the
server. By connecting these adapters to the switch, multiple 16 Mbps paths to the
server are created, a solution that is only possible when using a switch.
The switch ties together all Token-Ring devices lined to a local wiring center. In
networks, where a significant portion of the traffic moves locally between client
and server, the switch can be very effective.
Switch of Hubs
When network traffic increases beyond the capability of hubs, contention results.
Applications suffer and may even fail. The net effect of such a network
configuration is that all devices share a single 16 Mbps data path, thus reducing
overall network efficiency. The CrossFire 8600 and CrossFire 8605 can be very
effective when used as a switch of hubs.
The switches can alleviate contention through microsegmentation, or reducing the
number of devices in each shared segment. To provide microsegmentation, the
switches divides a single 16 Mbps segment into multiple 16 Mbps segments. As an
example, a workgroup has 16 Mbps of capacity. The 20 ports on the switches
support 10 simultaneous conversations with 20 hubs, thus providing the workgroup
with 160 Mbps bandwidth throughput, which results in a significant gain in
bandwidth.
Switch of Desktops
The CrossFire 8600 and the CrossFire 8605 are a cost-effective means of providing
dedicated bandwidth to individual desktop workstations. In this application, the
switch replaces a hub, providing excellent, hub-like network management
statistics. Total network capacity and throughput increase dramatically for attached
desktop workstations.