5
establish a connection based upon the highest common capabilities. This feature is imple-
mented by using CLI commands and saves the network manager from having to go to
each workstation and switch to configure a "fixed" speed.
ASCII configuration generator
The ASCII configuration generator allows the configuration settings of the switch to be
displayed or saved to an external ASCII configuration file made up of a series of CLI
commands. This editable ASCII configuration file can then be uploaded to a switch from
an external file server.
The ASCII configuration file contains configuration settings for the following network
management applications:
• Core applications (system information, topology, etc.)
• Internet Protocol
• Multi-Link Trunking
• Port configuration
• Partial Spanning Tree configuration, including configuration of port priority and path cost
• VLAN configuration
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• RMON
Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP)
Simple Network Time Protocol allows the synchronization of the switch or stack’s clock to
the real-time clock on the SNTP server. If the system (switch or stack) uses SNTP, then
SNTP time is used to time-stamp system log (Syslog) messages. If SNTP is not in use,
then the system uses a time-stamp relative to boot time.
Enhanced message logging
Several new features have been added for enhanced message logging. Log entries can now
be time-stamped with real time when the SNTP is in use. With the remote logging
feature, the system has the ability to copy internal system log messages onto a remote
Syslog server. Lastly, the Show Logging feature gives the administrator flexibility to view
and sort the login entries in forward or reverse manner.
Fail-safe stacking and resiliency
A key differentiation for the BayStack 460 Switch is its resilient stacking feature. The
BayStack 460 Switch can stack up to eight units with a cascade stacking design, assuring
continuous uptime even if a switch in the stack should fail. A loop-back—or redundant
cascade cable—is used to seamlessly connect the entire stack to eliminate any single point
of failure
(Figure 2)
.
Multi-Link Trunking
Multi-Link Trunking (MLT) enables grouping of links between the BayStack 460 Switch
and another switch or a server to provide greater bandwidth with active redundant links.
With Nortel Networks unique Distributed Multi-Link Trunking (DMLT) feature, trunked
ports can span multiple units of the stack for fail-safe connectivity to mission-critical servers
and the network center
(Figure 3)
. This can provide bandwidth of up to 800 Mbps (when
used with 10/100 ports) or up to 8 Gbps (when used with Gigabit uplink ports) with active
redundant links in one trunk. Up to six trunks are supported per switch or stack.
Figure 2. In the unlikely event of a
switch failure, the stack integrity
is maintained: cascade signals
loop back at point of failure.
Unit 8
Unit 7
Unit 6
Unit 5
Unit 4
Unit 3
Unit 2
Unit 1
Figure 3. Distributed Multi-Link
Trunking across stack for higher
bandwidth and fault tolerance
Multi-Gigabit
load-balancing
and failover
protection for
uninterrupted
access to the
network center
BayStack 460-24T-PWR Switch Stack
Passport 8600 Switch Server