Cabletron Systems ST-500 Specifications

Cabletron SystemsNetworking GuideWorkgroup Solutions

Introduction1-2 Document Organization Document Organization The following summarizes the organization of this manual:Chapter 1, Introduction , provi

Token Ring8-2 Token Ring Workgroup DevicesThe available devices and the main distinctions between them are summarized in Table 8-1.The columns in the

Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-3Token RingToken Ring Workgroup DesignOnce a Network Designer understands the fundamentals of Token Ring design, as desc

Token Ring8-4 Token Ring Workgroup DesignMediaIt is assumed by this document that the selection of a networking media for the facility has already bee

Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-5Token RingThis extension of the ring can be used to allow the Token Ring network to connect widely-separated groups of

Token Ring8-6 Token Ring Workgroup DesignWhen examining the Media characteristics of the devices remaining in the selection field, the Network Designer

Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-7Token RingLooking back at the initial selection field, the Network Designer locates the non-intelligent stackable device

Token Ring8-8 Token Ring Workgroup Design

A-1Appendix ACharts and TablesThis appendix provides a central location for a series of tables that contain useful network design information. Workgro

Charts and TablesA-2 Workgroup Design TablesFast Etherneta. These products can be managed through the addition of an intelligent stackable device to t

Workgroup Design Tables A-3Charts and TablesToken Ringa. These products can be managed through the addition of an intelligent stackable device to thei

Document Conventions 1-3Introduction Document Conventions Warnings and NotificationsFormats References to chapters or sections within this document ar

Charts and TablesA-4 Workgroup Design TablesPIMs and BRIMs Table A-6. PIM Reference Table PIM Technology Media ConnectorEPIM-A Ethernet AUI DB15 (Male

Workgroup Design Tables A-5Charts and TablesFPIM-00 FDDI Multimode Fiber OpticsFDDI MICFPIM-01 FDDI Multimode Fiber OpticsSCFPIM-02 FDDI UTP RJ45FPIM-

Charts and TablesA-6 Workgroup Design Tablesa. This table is subject to change as new BRIM modules and revised firmware are released.Table A-7. BRIM Re

Networking Standards and Limitations A-7Charts and TablesNetworking Standards and LimitationsEthernetDistance LimitationsGeneral RulesTable A-9. Ether

Charts and TablesA-8 Networking Standards and LimitationsFast EthernetDistance LimitationsNetwork RadiiTable A-11. Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX/FX) Dista

Networking Standards and Limitations A-9Charts and TablesToken RingDistance Limitationsa. IBM Type 6 cable is recommended for use as jumper cabling on

Charts and TablesA-10 Networking Standards and LimitationsRing-In/Ring-Out LimitationsGeneral RulesTable A-14. Ring-In/Ring-Out DistancesMediaMax Dist

Networking Standards and Limitations A-11Charts and TablesFDDIFDDI Distance LimitationsGeneral Rulesa. Category 5 UTP cabling onlyb. IBM Type 1 STP ca

Charts and TablesA-12 Networking Standards and Limitations

Glossary-1GlossaryThis glossary provides brief descriptions of some of the recurrent terms in the main text, as well as related terms used in discussi

Introduction1-4 Related Documentation Related DocumentationThe following publications may be of assistance to you in the design process. Several of t

Attenuation to Client-ServerGlossary-2Attenuation Loss of signal power (measured in decibels) due to transmission through a cable. Attenuation is depe

Glossary-3Coaxial to DecryptionCoaxial An Ethernet media type which consists of a core of electrically conductive material surrounded by several layer

Dedicated to Fault-ToleranceGlossary-4Dedicated Assigned to one purpose or function.Device (network) Any discrete electronic item connected to a netwo

Glossary-5FDDI to ImpedanceFDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface. A high-speed networking technology. FDDI requires that stations only transmit data w

Interface to MAC AddressGlossary-6Interface A connection to a network. Unlike a port, an interface is not necessarily an available physical connector

Glossary-7MAU to Network RadiusMAU Multistation Access Unit.Mbps Megabits Per Second. Mbps indicates the number of groups of 1000 bits of data that ar

Node to ProtocolGlossary-8Node Any single end station on a network capable of receiving, processing, and transmitting packets.NVRAM Non-Volatile Rando

Glossary-9PVC to ServerPVC Polyvinyl Chloride. A material commonly used in the fabrication of cable insulation. This term is used to describe a non-pl

SIMM to SwitchGlossary-10SIMM Single In-line Memory Module. A collection of Random Access Memory (RAM) microprocessors which are placed on a single, r

Glossary-11TCP to UTPTCP Transmission Control Protocol.Terminal A device for displaying information and relaying communications. Terminals do not perf

2-1Chapter 2Review of NetworkingThis chapter discusses the defining characteristics of three major Local Area Network (LAN) technologies.Before discuss

UTP to UTPGlossary-12

Index-1IndexNumerics100BASE-FX 2-3100BASE-TX 2-3AActive circuitry 2-6APIM 4-5Assistance 1-3BBackbonescollapsed 5-19definition 5-17device 5-20distribute

IndexIndex-2HHelp 1-3High-end department 6-19, 7-6Home office 6-5HubSTACK Interconnect Cables 3-5IInstallationplanning 5-11Interconnect cables 3-5inter

Review of Networking2-2 EthernetEthernetEthernet is a local area networking technology that was initially developed in the 1970s by the Xerox Corporat

Fast Ethernet 2-3Review of Networking• AUI Length: The maximum Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) cable length is 50 m for connections from a transceiver

Review of Networking2-4 Fast EthernetThis signal path, two end stations and the repeaters between them, is called the network radius. Unlike standard

Token Ring 2-5Review of NetworkingFast Ethernet networks designed using Class II repeaters may not exceed the following maximum network radii:- 200 m

Review of Networking2-6 Token RingThe transmission and reception of the token determines the amount of time that any station will have to transmit dat

Token Ring 2-7Review of NetworkingToken Ring networks can use a variety of physical cabling, including Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Shielded Twisted

Review of Networking2-8 Token Ring• Number of Stations Per 4 Mbps Token Ring: In the same fashion as the limits imposed on cable lengths due to the op

Token Ring 2-9Review of NetworkingThere are other limitations involved in the IEEE 802.5 standard and the various cable specifications that are more de

Review of Networking2-10 Token Ring

3-1Chapter 3The Workgroup ApproachThis chapter describes the basic operation and design of stackable and standalone devices and the methods used to me

The Workgroup Approach3-2 StandalonesStandalones, the Original Networking DevicesStandalone devices are the second oldest devices in Local Area Networ

Standalones 3-3The Workgroup ApproachManagement of StandalonesAs standalone devices became more complex, the need to control them became greater. The

The Workgroup Approach3-4 StackablesStackablesTo cope with the limited flexibility and expandability of standalones, the stackable hub, or stackable, w

Stackables 3-5The Workgroup ApproachHow Stacks WorkStackable hubs communicate with one another through proprietary interconnection cables. The cables

The Workgroup Approach3-6 StackablesHubSTACK Interconnect Cables are connected in a particular sequence, from the OUT port of the first device in the s

Stackables 3-7The Workgroup ApproachInitially, Network Designers wishing to make connections from stacks to backbone technologies would be forced to a

iNotice Notice Cabletron Systems reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in this document without prior n

The Workgroup Approach3-8 StackablesIn addition, stackable and standalone devices are typically available for only the most common of networking media

4-1Chapter 4PIMs and BRIMsThis chapter deals with the special methods of connecting standalone and stackable devices to one another regardless of cabl

PIMs and BRIMs4-2 Port Interface ModulesThe PIMs can be added at any time, allowing a Network Manager to add capabilities for special links at any tim

Port Interface Modules 4-3PIMs and BRIMsThe suffix of the PIM’s product name, which follows the hyphen, specifies what media type and connector style th

PIMs and BRIMs4-4 Port Interface ModulesTPIMsTPIMs are Token Ring Port Interface Modules. A TPIM provides a single Token Ring connection. If the Token

Port Interface Modules 4-5PIMs and BRIMsAPIMsThe Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Port Interface Modules, or APIMs, are designed to allow connection t

PIMs and BRIMs4-6 Port Interface ModulesTable 4-1 provides basic information regarding the available PIMs and the connectors, media, and technologies

Port Interface Modules 4-7PIMs and BRIMsFPIM-00 FDDI Multimode Fiber OpticsFDDI MICFPIM-01 FDDI Multimode Fiber OpticsSCFPIM-02 FDDI UTP RJ45FPIM-04 F

PIMs and BRIMs4-8 Bridge/Router Interface ModulesBridge/Router Interface ModulesIn the same way that Cabletron Systems supplied a method for connectin

Bridge/Router Interface Modules 4-9PIMs and BRIMsBRIM-F6The BRIM-F6 is an FDDI bridging device used to connect a standalone device to an FDDI network.

Noticeii

PIMs and BRIMs4-10 Bridge/Router Interface ModulesThe available BRIMs and the technologies they support are detailed in Table 4-2. This table can be u

5-1Chapter 5Network DesignThe following chapter discusses some of the more common approaches to workgroup network design.The network design process is

Network Design5-2 The Role of the WorkgroupAs this Networking Guide is concerned with the decisions made regarding networking hardware and not with th

The Role of the Workgroup 5-3Network DesignWorkgroup Establishment CriteriaThis section examines some of the methods that may be used to divide the po

Network Design5-4 The Role of the WorkgroupDepartmental OrganizationCorporations, companies, and agencies all separate employees by primary function.

The Role of the Workgroup 5-5Network DesignAs the creation of workgroups based on departmental organization mirrors the operation of the company, the

Network Design5-6 The Role of the WorkgroupCommon FunctionSegmentation by common function is often used to provide further division of the network wit

The Role of the Workgroup 5-7Network DesignPriority OrganizationPriority organization is a flexible term that refers to the Network Manager assigning d

Network Design5-8 The Role of the WorkgroupPriority organization of this manner in a single-segment network involves providing stations in the priorit

The Role of the Workgroup 5-9Network DesignSelecting Workgroup TechnologiesThe selection of a network technology at the workgroup level is a very impo

iii Chapter 1 Introduction Using This Guide...

Network Design5-10 Creating a Manageable PlanCreating a Manageable PlanA well thought-out and carefully designed network is still difficult to troubles

Creating a Manageable Plan 5-11Network Design• Centralization and Control - If you require more control over the networking hardware than you can get

Network Design5-12 Creating a Manageable PlanUse a standard, decipherable labeling code for cable and hardware. A label reading L2N5W2C1S243 may look

Creating a Manageable Plan 5-13Network DesignSingle Points of FailureA single point of failure is any one device, cable or connection that, if it shou

Network Design5-14 Creating a Manageable PlanIsolation and RecoveryNo matter how much redundancy is designed into a network, and no matter how much th

Network Expandability 5-15Network DesignTracking ChangesYour network maps will be used for keeping track of a large amount of information, which will

Network Design5-16 The Workgroup as the NetworkThe Workgroup as the NetworkIn many cases, the only network that a facility requires is a single workgr

The Workgroup in the Larger Network 5-17Network DesignWhat Is a Backbone?A backbone is a network segment or cable which is used to provide for the int

Network Design5-18 The Workgroup in the Larger NetworkThe Distributed BackboneOne method of creating a backbone network is to sequentially string all

The Workgroup in the Larger Network 5-19Network DesignThe Collapsed BackboneIt is also possible to run cables from a central point, often a network ma

Contentsiv Chapter 5 Network Design The Role of the Workgroup ...

Network Design5-20 The Workgroup in the Larger Network• Simplified Troubleshooting - Workgroups can be bypassed by simply reconfiguring a single patch p

The Workgroup in the Larger Network 5-21Network Design• Simplified Troubleshooting - The device collapsed backbone, by connecting the workgroups throug

Network Design5-22 The Workgroup in the Larger Network

6-1Chapter 6EthernetThis chapter describes in detail the processes and decisions involved in designing an Ethernet workgroup using Cabletron Systems p

Ethernet6-2 Ethernet Workgroup DevicesEthernet Workgroup DevicesThe following sections describe the various Cabletron Systems networking devices that

Ethernet Workgroup Devices 6-3EthernetTypeThe type column describes what functions the device in question performs. There are three basic types of dev

Ethernet6-4 Ethernet Workgroup DevicesSwitched DevicesEthernet segmentation and switching designs require some slightly different information and deci

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-5EthernetEthernet Workgroup DesignWhen designing a new workgroup, one of the first tasks to be confronted is the selection

Ethernet6-6 Ethernet Workgroup DesignAbstracting the Design ProcessThere are a series of logical stages that must be kept in mind when designing a net

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-7EthernetSome Cabletron networking devices, through their support of PIMs and BRIMs, will support a small number of connec

vContents Appendix A Charts and Tables Workgroup Design Tables ...

Ethernet6-8 Ethernet Workgroup DesignIn an effort to provide some measure of differentiation between the varying levels of expense, the design tables

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-9EthernetThe table below shows the selection field of Cabletron Systems shared Ethernet workgroup devices. This is the same

Ethernet6-10 Ethernet Workgroup DesignThe media selected for the network is inexpensive Category 3 UTP jumper cabling. The low cost, durability, and r

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-11EthernetThe Network Designer checks the Cabletron Systems Networking Solutions Product Guide to examine the characterist

Ethernet6-12 Ethernet Workgroup DesignThe small office location is an ideal place to examine the suitability of stackable networking devices. As these

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-13EthernetExpandabilityThe simplicity and fluidity of expansion in a small office setting is of paramount importance. Every

Ethernet6-14 Ethernet Workgroup DesignDesign ExampleThe following example follows a Network Designer’s selection process for a small office Ethernet ne

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-15EthernetAs the network will be using UTP cabling, the SEHI-22FL can be removed from the selection field.Since growth is e

Ethernet6-16 Ethernet Workgroup Designthrough an interconnect cable and have a stack providing 36 ports. This entire stack will act as a single repeat

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-17EthernetFigure 6-5. FDDI Backbone InternetworkingThe main difference between the small office and the remote office is tha

Contentsvi

Ethernet6-18 Ethernet Workgroup DesignDesign ExampleFor an example of remote office workgroup configuration, we will build upon the previous small office

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-19EthernetFigure 6-6. Ethernet Remote Office ImplementationThe High-End DepartmentThe high-end department is a workgroup wi

Ethernet6-20 Ethernet Workgroup DesignManagementIn a network using any form of segmentation, whether it is bridging, switching, or routing, management

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-21EthernetDesign ExampleAs an example, we can examine a network design that is being planned for a group of Computer-Aided

Ethernet6-22 Ethernet Workgroup DesignThe Network Designer is looking for one or more per-port Ethernet switches that can be used to make network conn

Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-23EthernetThe Network Designer selects the ESX-1320 and calculates that two ESX-1320 switches, each containing one BRIM mo

Ethernet6-24 Ethernet Workgroup DesignPermutationsIt is also possible to use an Ethernet switch to connect a series of individual workgroups, rather t

7-1Chapter 7Fast EthernetThis chapter examines the decisions and selections that must be made when designing a Fast Ethernet workgroup solution.Should

Fast Ethernet7-2 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DevicesThe columns in the table provide the same information that Table 6-1 provides regarding Ethernet devic

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-3Fast EthernetFast Ethernet Workgroup DesignThe network design process for Fast Ethernet workgroups is nearly identic

1-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Using This Guide The Cabletron Systems Networking Guide - Workgroup Solutions is intended to provide much of the informa

Fast Ethernet7-4 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DesignPort CountThe first device in the stack, whether an intelligent SEHI100TX-22 or non-intelligent SEH100TX

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-5Fast EthernetThe current network consists of 43 stations, including the shared servers and order entry system. The d

Fast Ethernet7-6 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DesignThis expansion can continue until the stack contains five devices, the maximum number allowable with the

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-7Fast EthernetAbstracting the Design ProcessAs the Fast Ethernet switch selection field, shown in Table 7-2, contains

Fast Ethernet7-8 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DesignThe Network Designer begins the design process by examining the available Fast Ethernet switch products

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-9Fast EthernetFigure 7-3. Fast Ethernet High-End Department SolutionFast Ethernet as a BackboneDue to the high throug

Fast Ethernet7-10 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DesignFigure 7-4. Initial Network DesignEach departmental stack consists of one MicroMMAC-24E and one or mor

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-11Fast EthernetThe Network Designer examines the four types of FN100 Fast Ethernet switch, looking to see which model

Fast Ethernet7-12 Fast Ethernet Workgroup DesignOnce the backbone switch has been selected, changes need to be made to the workgroups that will connec

8-1Chapter 8Token RingThis chapter examines the decisions and selections that must be made when designing a Token Ring workgroup solution.The process