1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
The 9F426-03 FDDI SmartSwitch
®
Module, shown in Figure 1-1, is a four port
switch module with three front panel FDDI interfaces and one INB-2 backplane
interface. The external FDDI networks are connected to the module using
standard Cabletron FPIMs on the front panel. The 9F426-03 module employs
SmartSwitch ASIC, a high performance switch design, and an Intel i960
microprocessor.
Features
Processor
The 9F426-03 is equipped with an advanced Intel i960 microprocessor. This
microprocessor provides a platform for all management functions within a
scalable RISC-based architecture.
Packet Switch Engine
The 9F426-03 module incorporates the SmartSwitch ASIC, a collection of custom
ASlCs designed specifically for high-speed switching. The SmartSwitch ASIC bus
is 64 bits wide with a bandwidth of 320 Mbps. Since all frame translation, address
lookups, and forwarding decisions are performed in hardware, the 9F426-03 can
obtain a throughput performance of greater than 750K pps.
Management
The 9F426-03 module has two full implementations of SMT (Version 7.3), one per
interface, and SNMP for local and remote management. Local management is
provided through the RS-232 COM ports on the SmartSwitch 9000 Environmental
Module using a standard VT-220 terminal or emulator. Remote management is
possible through Cabletron’s SPECTRUM or any SNMP-compliant management
tool, as well as telneting to the module. Management features including module
insert/bypass control, MAC placement, and SMT statistics. Switching statistics on
both FDDI interfaces provide frames filtered, frames forwarded, and all Spanning
Tree Protocol parameters. The 9F426-03 module supports the IETF FDDI MIB
(RFC-1512), IETF MIB ll (RFC-1213), IETF BRIDGE MIB (RFC-1493), and a host of
