Page 5
When modules with “A” and “B” Port capabilities are inserted into adjacent chassis
slots, they can connect to each other via the backplane links and create flexible
network architectures that meet the user’s requirements.
Note that not all modules support and have backplane ports. To find out about
each specific module’s backplane port configuration, refer to the specific
module’s documentation.
This chassis architecture facilitates a variety of applications including unmanaged,
out-of-band managed, in-band managed and multi-port configurations.
1.4 Application Examples
1.4.1 Out-of-Band Managed 10/100Mbps Converter Application
Fig. 3 Out-of-Band Managed 10/100Mbps Converter Application
Fig. 3 depicts an out-of-band managed 10/100 converter application. In this application,
which is typical for a Central Office (CO) or a network core, a 5-Module chassis is loaded
with 10/100 UTP to fiber converters that convert UTP cabling originating at a core switch
to fiber and distributing the fiber in a star configuration to different customers.
Out-of-band management is desirable in this application since it facilitates secure
monitoring, configuration and trap notification of a large number of converter modules in
the chassis.
This application uses four 10/100 modules for UTP to fiber conversion and a Network
Management Module (NMM) for management. All modules are plugged into the
5-Module chassis.
The 10/100 converter module is designed as a 4-port switch with two front-plane Ethernet
ports (100BASE-FX fiber and 10/100BASE-T/TX UTP) and two 10/100 Ethernet backplane
ports (“A” and “B” Ports). In this application, the “A” and “B” Ports are disabled to provide
isolation between the modules.
The NMM module features a 10Mbps Ethernet “A” Port. In this application, its “A” port is
disabled and connectivity to the management network is performed via the NMM module’s
front-plane Ethernet port.
It is important to emphasize that in this type of application, the “A” and “B” Ports of all of
