Alcatel-Lucent 6300-24 manual Network Planning, Introduction to Switching

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Chapter 2: Network Planning

Introduction to Switching

A network switch allows simultaneous transmission of multiple packets via non-crossbar switching. This means that it can partition a network more efficiently than bridges or routers. The switch has, therefore, been recognized as one of the most important building blocks for today’s networking technology.

When performance bottlenecks are caused by congestion at the network access point (such as the network card for a high-volume file server), the device experiencing congestion (server, power user or hub) can be attached directly to a switched port. And, by using full-duplex mode, the bandwidth of the dedicated segment can be doubled to maximize throughput.

When networks are based on repeater (hub) technology, the maximum distance between end stations is limited. For Ethernet, there may be up to four hubs between any pair of stations; for Fast Ethernet, the maximum is two. This is known as the hop count. However, a switch turns the hop count back to zero. So subdividing the network into smaller and more manageable segments, and linking them to the larger network by means of a switch, removes this limitation.

A switch can be easily configured in any Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network to significantly boost bandwidth while using conventional cabling and network cards.

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Contents Part No -10, Rev. a December OmniStackPage Page Page Compliances and Safety Warnings Industry Canada Class B Vii Safety ComplianceUnderwriters Laboratories Compliance Statement Warnhinweis Faseroptikanschlüsse Optische SicherheitViii Wichtige Sicherheitshinweise GermanyDocumentation Environmental StatementEnd of Product Life Span Manufacturing MaterialsRelated Publications PurposeContents Glossary Index Appendix a TroubleshootingAppendix C Specifications Appendix B CablesTables Tables Xii Figures Figures Xiv Network Management Options Switch ArchitectureIntroduction OverviewIntroduction Description of Hardware10/100/1000BASE-T Ports SFP SlotsCondition Status Status LEDsPort Status LEDs System LEDs System Status LEDs Features and Benefits Optional Backup Power SupplyPower Supply Receptacles Management Network Planning Introduction to SwitchingNetwork Planning Application ExamplesCollapsed Backbone Network Aggregation Plan Network Aggregation PlanRemote Connection with Fiber Cable Remote Connection with Fiber CableMaking Vlan Connections Making Vlan ConnectionsApplication Notes Ethernet Cabling Installing the SwitchSelecting a Site Optional Rack-Mounting Equipment Equipment ChecklistPackage Contents To rack-mount devices MountingRack Mounting MountingDesktop or Shelf Mounting Installing the Switch in a RackInstalling an Optional SFP Transceiver into the Switch Connecting to a Power SourcePower Receptacle Connecting to the Console PortDTE Port Wiring Map for Serial CableSerial Cable Wiring Switch’s 9-Pin Null Modem PC’s 9-Pin Installing the Switch Twisted-Pair Devices Connecting to PCs, Servers, Hubs and SwitchesConnecting Network Devices Making Network ConnectionsMaking Network Connections Network Wiring ConnectionsMaking LC Port Connections Fiber Optic SFP DevicesMbps Gigabit Ethernet Collision Domain ConnectorConnectivity Rules 1000BASE-T Cable Requirements100 m 328 ft RJ-45 Mbps Fast Ethernet Collision DomainMbps Ethernet Collision Domain Cable Labeling and Connection Records Installation Appendix a TroubleshootingDiagnosing Switch Indicators Power and Cooling ProblemsTroubleshooting 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Pin Assignments Appendix B CablesTwisted-Pair Cable and Pin Assignments Cables 1000BASE-T Pin AssignmentsFiber Standards B Fiber StandardsCables Physical Characteristics Appendix C SpecificationsCE Mark SpecificationsCompliances Glossary-1 GlossaryGlossary-2 GlossaryGlossary-3 LEDGlossary Glossary-4 Index-1 IndexIndex-2 IndexPage 060190-10