Asante Technologies 7000 user manual Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Technology

Switching Technology

To ensure network reliability, a switch monitors each of its ports for signal quality. The switch automatically disconnects stations transmitting excessive noise, then reconnects them when the problem is resolved. A switch also automatically drops data packets that exceed the maximum allowable length. This prevents a device from blocking the network by transmitting continuous data streams or extra-long packets.

The FriendlyNET 7000 Series Switch supports store-and-forwardswitching. If the speeds are different, such as for a 10Mbps workstation connected to a 100Mbps server, the switch will buffer and read the entire packet, perform a data validity check, then forward the packet at the new speed.

The FS7000 Series utilizes an advanced third generation switching engine. It features high port count in a high integration package. For wire speed performance, the 7108 features a 2.4Gbps bus, while the 7016 base unit has a 9.6Gbps cross-bar bus to support its higher port count configurations.

Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Technology

As the volume of network traffic increases, the bandwidth offered by a typical 10Mbps Ethernet network quickly becomes inadequate to maintain acceptable performance for a growing number of desktop/server computing environments. Fast Ethernet, or 100Base-T, provides a smooth, non-disruptive evolution from 10Base-T technology.

The growing use of Fast Ethernet connections to servers and desktops is creating a clear need for an even higher-speed network technology at the backbone and server level. Gigabit Ethernet follows the same form, fit and function as its 10Mbps and 100Mbps Ethernet precursors, allowing a straightforward, incremental migration to higher-speed networking. This evolutionary upgrade path allows Gigabit Ethernet to be seamlessly integrated into existing Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks.

All of today’s internetworking technologies are fully compatible with Gigabit Ethernet, just as they are with Ethernet and Fast Ethernet. All three Ethernet speeds use the same IEEE 802.3 frame format, full-duplex operation and flow control methods. In half-duplex mode, Gigabit Ethernet employs the same fundamental CSMA/CD access method to resolve contention for the shared media. And, Gigabit Ethernet uses the same management objects defined by the IEEE 802.3 group. Gigabit Ethernet is Ethernet, only faster.

Asanté FriendlyNET 7000 Series Switches support not only traditional 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet, but also Gigabit Ethernet, and are ideal for bridging them without the need for a separate device.

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