Chapter 1: Introduction1-66H123-50 and 6H133-37 User’s Guide1.3.2 Full Duplex Switched EthernetThe optional Fast Ethernet Interface Modules for the 6H123-50 can beconfigured to operate in Full Duplex Switched Ethernet mode, whichprovides up to 200 Mbps of bandwidth.1.3.3 Auto-NegotiationThe repeater ports and Fast Ethernet Interface Modules can auto-negotiatethe type of connection required to provide a link to another device.During Auto-Negotiation, two devices automatically exchangeinformation “telling” each other what their operating capabilities are. TheAuto-Negotiation feature targets the maximum capabilities that can bereached between the two devices. For example, an FE-100TX FastEthernet Interface Module in a 6H123-50 can adjust to 100 Mbps whenthe device on the other end of the connection can also adjust to 100 Mbps.If the device on the other end of the connection can only operate at10 Mbps, then the FE-100TX simply adjusts to 10 Mbps operation.When Auto-Negotiation is supported at both ends of a link, the twodevices dynamically adjust to full or half duplex operation based on themaximum capability that can be reached between the two devices. If thedevice connected to the FE-100TX cannot auto-negotiate, the FE-100TXFast Ethernet Interface Module operates according to the capabilities ofthe other device.1.3.4 SmartTrunkingSmartTrunk, also referred to as SmartTrunking, is Cabletron Systems’terminology for load balancing or load sharing. SmartTrunk technologyprovides an easy-to-implement mechanism to group, or aggregate,multiple physical links together to scale the backbone bandwidth beyondthe limitations of a single link. All links are user-configurable soadministrators can scale the backbone bandwidth by adding SmartTrunklinks. The SmartTrunk benefits are as follows:• All purchased bandwidth is used.• Distributed, resilient links increase reliability and performance.• Multiple technologies are supported within a single trunk formaximum flexibility.
