Cabletron Systems MMAC-5FNB Networking Manual

Also see for MMAC-5FNB: Overview and setup guide

Contents

Cabletron Systems MMAC-5FNB Networking Manual Manual pdf 144 page image

Token Ring6-24Multi-Ring ConfigurationCabletron Systems also produces router modules for the MMAC chassis whichconnects to the Token Ring backplane bus. The CRM family of router modules,developed in conjunction with Cisco Systems, provide routing functionality forToken Ring networks with excellent configuration flexibility. For moreinformation on the CRM series of modules, contact your Cabletron Systems SalesRepresentative.Multi-Ring ConfigurationIf you intend to design a Token Ring network that initially includes segmentationand bridging, or if you have attempted to design a single Token Ring that cannotstay within the IEEE 802.5 maximums, you must incorporate a multi-ringsolution.The Cabletron Systems Token Ring product line for the MMAC-FNB series ofmodular chassis can perform Token Ring segmentation in two different ways bybreaking the continuity of the Token Ring bus of the FNB and establishing a newring in the chassis, or through the use of a Multichannel Token Ring managementmodule, which initializes four separate and distinct Token Rings along thebackplane of the chassis and bridges between them.Design PhilosophyA multi-ring design for a Token Ring network essentially involves the creation oftwo or more individually operating Token Rings, each of which has a station portconnection to at least one other ring. There are no restrictions on the ringconfigurations which may be bridged, except for the restrictions placed on eachring by the IEEE 802.5 standard.Design ExampleThis design provides Token Ring networking services for two departments withina financial institution with 63 total workstations. The network design process hasbroken up the workstations into two classes; teller stations and operationscontrols. The financial institution, First Generic Bank and Trust, has decided tosegment the teller stations and their associated nodes from the operations controlsstations. This independence of the two workgroups will help to keep any largetransfers or backups from the operations controls department from adverselyaffecting the speed and availability of the teller station transactions. Thesegmentation will also help to keep failures or errors on one department fromaffecting the other.The cabling used for connections from the workstations to the central networkchassis is Category 3 UTP, which is terminated with standard RJ45 patch panelsand wallplates. The longest UTP cable segment used in this network is 60 meters.