IE-SW-VL08M Series User’s Manual
Featured Functions
3-23
Ring Coupling Configuration
For some systems, it may not be convenient to connect all devices in the system to create one BIG
redundant ring, since some devices could be located in a remote area. For these systems, “Ring
Coupling” can be used to separate the devices into different smaller redundant rings, but in such a
way that they can still communicate with each other.
ATTENTION
In a VLAN environment, the user must set “Redundant Port,” “Coupling Port,” and “Coupling
Control Port” to join all VLANs, since these ports act as the “backbone” to transmit all packets of
different VLANs to different IE-SW-VL08M units.
Ring Coupling for a “Turbo Ring” Ring
To configure the Ring Coupling function for a “Turbo Ring” ring, select two switch units (e.g.,
Switch A and B in the above figure) in the ring, and another two switch units in the adjacent ring
(e.g., Switch C and D).
Decide which two ports in each switch are appropriate to be used as coupling ports, and then link
them together. Next, assign one switch (e.g., Switch A) to be the “coupler,” and connect the
coupler’s coupling control port with Switch B (for this example).
The coupler switch (i.e., Switch A) will monitor switch B through the coupling control port to
determine whether or not the coupling port’s backup path should be recovered.
