Cisco Systems BC-109 How a Router Works with LNM, LAN Network Manager Monitoring and Translating

Configure LNM Support

Figure 52 LAN Network Manager Monitoring and Translating

LAN Network Manager

1 Query about

Station A

Station A

Token	Token
Ring	Ring

Proprietary protocol	IEEE 802.5
on LLC2

2 Query to Station A

S1114a

Notice that the proprietary protocol LNM uses to communicate with the source-route bridge is an LLC2 connection. Although its protocol cannot be routed, LNM can monitor or manage anything within the SRB network.

How a Router Works with LNM

As of Software Release 9.0, Cisco routers using 4/16-Mbps Token Ring interfaces configured for SRB support the proprietary protocol that LNM uses. These routers provide all functions the IBM Bridge Program currently provides. Thus LNM can communicate with a router as if it were an IBM source-route bridge, such as the IBM 8209, and can manage or monitor any Token Ring connected to the router.

Through IBM Bridge support, LNM provides three basic services for the SRB network:

•The Configuration Report Server (CRS) monitors the current logical configuration of a Token Ring and reports any changes to LNM. CRS also reports various other events, such as the change of an active monitor on a Token Ring.

•The Ring Error Monitor (REM) monitors errors reported by any station on the ring. In addition, REM monitors whether the ring is in a functional or a failure state.

•The Ring Parameter Server (RPS) reports to LNM when any new station joins a Token Ring and ensures that all stations on a ring are using a consistent set of reporting parameters.

IBM Bridge support for LNM also allows asynchronous notification of some events that can occur on a Token Ring. Examples of these events include notification of a new station joining the Token Ring or of the ring entering failure mode, known as beaconing. Support is also provided for LNM to change the operating parameters in the bridge. For a complete description of LNM, refer to the IBM product manual supplied with the LNM program.

LNM support in our source-route bridges is a powerful tool for managing SRB networks. Through the ability to communicate with LNM and to provide the functionality of the IBM Bridge Program, our device appears as part of the IBM network. You therefore gain from the interconnectivity of our products without having to learn a new management product or interface.

BC-128Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide