Riverstone Networks RS 8000/8600 Switch Router Getting Started Guide 2-1
2 INTRODUCTION
The 8-slot and 16-slot Riverstone Networks, Inc. RS 8000 and RS 8600 provide non-blocking, wire-speed layer-2
(switching), layer-3 (routing), and layer-4 (application) switching. This chapter provides a basic overview of the
RS 8000 and RS 8600 software and hardware feature set.
•
If you want to skip this information and install the RS now, see
Chapter 3,
"Hardware
Installation."
•
If you want to boot the RS software and perform basic configuration tasks now, see
Chapter 4,
"Initial Configuration."
Note
For the latest operating software and user documentation, check the
Riverstone Networks web site at www.riverstonenet.com.
2.1
FUNCTIONAL LAYER TERMINOLOGY
This guide, and other RS documentation, refers to layer-2 (L2), layer-3 (L3), and layer-4 (L4) switching and
routing. These layers are based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) 7-layer reference model. Here
is an example of that model. The RS operates within the layers that are not shaded. Notice that layer 2 is divided
into a MAC layer, an LLC layer, and an LLC2 layer. The RS operates at the MAC and LLC layers.
Table 2-1
ISO 7-layer model and RS 8000/8600 capabilities
Layer 7
Application
Layer 6
Presentation
Layer 5
Session
Layer 4
Transport
TCP/UDP - application
Layer 3
Network
IP/IPX - routing
LLC2
Layer 2
LLC
MAC Bridging
Layer 1
Physical
Physical Interfaces
