connection based upon the highest common capabilities. This feature is implemented
by using CLI commands and saves the network manager from having to go to each work-
station and switch to configure a "fixed" speed.
Network management
Web-based management
Web-based network management makes managing the BayStack 425 Switch stack easy.
Summary, configuration, fault, statistics, application, administration, and support pages can
be provided for the entire stack. Real-time sampling provides up-to-date LED statistical
information for stacked units. The Web interface also allows for static configuration of
numerous parameters of the device. Plus, the stack can be managed as a single entity with one
IP address.
On-box management
Network management begins with the device. BayStack 425 Switches support four groups
of Remote Monitoring (RMON) on all ports and are SNMPv3 compliant. The four
groups of RMON are Alarms, Events, History, and Statistics. RMON2 support is achiev-
able via port mirroring and the use of an external probe. The SNMP agent software resides
in the switch and uses the information it collects to provide management for all ports in the
stack providing comprehensive network monitoring capabilities.
Configuration management
The process of configuration begins with a single device but finishes across multiple
devices. Java™ Device Manager is the device configuration tool for those functions that
require communicating with a single device. It uses a common user interface and workflow
that supports many Nortel Networks Ethernet switches. This commonality allows the
network manager to become familiar with one tool instead of multiple tools. Optivity
Switch Manager* (OSM) is a Java-based, real-time, configuration management application
for Nortel Networks Ethernet products including BayStack 425 Switches. It enables
network managers to discover, view, and configure more than 500 network devices and
their physical links on a topology map. Configuration is stored in NVRAM (Non-Volatile
Random Access Memory).
Fault management and resolution
With Optivity Network Management System
(ONMS), the network manager has quick access
to the information required to manage and
isolate all network events on BayStack 425
switches. Tools, such as Physical Topology View,
inform the network manager of how a particular
event is affecting the physical connectivity
within the network. The ‘End Node Locate’ tool
provides the ability to locate a failing end node
and, with one mouse click, provides access to
the RMON statistics for the failing Ethernet
port supporting that end node. These solutions
provide visual and statistical tools necessary to
quickly resolve network events or to manage
performance in real-time. The BayStack 425
Switches support “syslog” capability that helps
in troubleshooting network issues.
5
Figure 6. Distributed Multi-Link
Trunking (DMLT) across a stack
Server
BayStack 425 Switches
Passport* 1612G Switch
DMLT across the stack with
load-balancing and fail-over
protection for uninterrupted
access to servers or the
network center