Cabletron Systems 9F122-12 User Manual

Also see for 9E531-24: User guide

Contents

3-1Chapter 3Technical OverviewSmartSwitch ArchitectureThe SmartSwitch Architecture of the 9E531-24 module, as shown in Figure 3-1, isconfigurable for one of two modes of operation: traditional IEEE 802.1 switching,or SecureFast switching. The module supports only one of these modes ofoperation at any one time.When operating in traditional IEEE 802.1 switch mode, the 9E531-24 makesfiltering/forwarding decisions based on Destination Address (DA), with standardIEEE 802.1D learning. 802.1Q VLANs are also supported.Spanning tree operation for the 9E531-24 is configurable to adhere to IEEE 802.1D,DEC, or none. The default Spanning Tree Algorithm is 802.1D.When operating in SecureFast switch mode, all filtering/forwarding decisions aremade on a DA-SA pair and its in and out port on a connection-orientated basis.SecureFast switching mode provides value-added network services includingdynamic VLANs, Topology, Connectivity, IP Multicast, Control, Security,Application, Address Management, Dynamic Mapping, and Directory services.For example, Topology Services includes configurable options ranging fromsimple spanning tree implementations to fully-meshed active topologies. Otherservices and features supported in SecureFast switching mode are described indetail in the Cabletron White Paper, IP Host Communication in Bridged, Routedand SecureFast Networks.