ADDER CATx User Manual

Also see for AdderView CATx AVX4016: User guide

Contents

ADDER CATx User Manual Manual pdf 18 page image

 17How cascade connections operateThe method for cascading AdderView CATx units is straightforwardand requires no hardware settings or lengthy configuration process.This is due to the Adder Port Direct communication system thatallows them to locate each other and share information.The method of linking AdderView CATx units is the sameregardless of the cascade level, or number of devices attached. Putsimply:• A single cascade link is made by connecting a COMPUTERCONNECTIONS socket of one unit to a CATx USER PORTSsocket of the unit below it.Such a single link would allow just one user from the higherAdderView CATx unit to access any of the computer systemsattached to the lower one. However, a single link can cause abottleneck for multi-user systems and cause port numberingproblems, so the minimum permissible group link betweenAdderView CATx units is a triple (quad cascade links arerecommended). These allow three or four users to simultaneouslyaccess computer systems situated anywhere within the cascadetree.When triple or quad cascade links are made between units, eachAdderView CATx will automatically recognise the links and treatthem accordingly. The links within a triple or quad group will thenbe allocated to users according to their general availability in thatgroup, not as specific individual lines. To do this, each link grouphas an access number, which is determined by the ports to whichthey are connected on the switch.For instance, a quad group connected to computer ports 1, 2,3 and 4 of an AdderView CATx unit would always be known as41, the next quad group connected to ports 5 to 8 would alwayscarry the number 42, and so on. The diagram here summarises theports to which triple and quad groups must be connected and theresulting group numbers attained in the positions here ðThe central purpose of the link group system is that each user canuse a unique address to locate a particular computer. However, aswith the Internet, the route to get there could be slightly differenteach time. This avoids any route blocking that could easily becaused by other users occupying any specific link lines.Note: Triple and quad link groups may be mixed on one unitproviding the differing link groups lie within appropriate portboundaries shown opposite - see Tips for successful cascadingfor more details.Port boundaries and numbering for triple link groups(sixteen port models use groups 31 to 35 only)Port boundaries and numbering for quad link groups(sixteen port models use groups 41 to 44 only)See also• Addressing computers in a cascade• Connecting AdderView CATx units in cascade• Testing specific links to cascaded computers