Nortel Networks 70 Series Chapter Network Configuration, Benefits of Using Switching Technology

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Chapter 2

Network Configuration

The BayStack 70 Series 10/100 Ethernet Switch is designed to provide flexibility in configuring your network connections. Each switch in the series can be used as a standalone device or can be used with 10 Mb/s and/or 100 Mb/s hubs or other interconnection devices in various configurations. The configuration examples in this chapter illustrate the integration of the switches in network environments of all sizes and types. These examples include a network of a few workstations connected to a printer or a segmented network with multiple users or workgroups and other networking devices.

Benefits of Using Switching Technology

Ethernet switches provide private, dedicated, 10 Mb/s or 100 Mb/s capacity to each connected PC/server or hub/workgroup segment, which is a significantly higher capacity than in a shared environment. The higher bandwidth enables the use of applications such as multimedia, imaging, video, or high-performance client-server functions among users who are spread out over the network.

This improvement is accomplished very easily, with no change to the desktop (such as, network interface cards or software and network wiring). As a result, the performance upgrade and the applications enabled by the switch are obtained very quickly and at a low cost.

Ethernet switches significantly increase network throughput by segmenting network traffic. Switches check traffic coming in to each port to learn which network device is located on which segment. Based on this information, switches forward cross-segment traffic only to the appropriate segment. The traffic will not show up in the other segments because it is filtered out. In this way, network capacity is fully reserved for traffic destined for that segment only, and other segments will not be saturated with unnecessary traffic.

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Contents Installation and Reference for Copyright 1999 Nortel Networks Iii Statement of Conditions Restricted Rights LegendNortel Networks NA Inc. Software License Agreement 206375-A Contents Chapter Troubleshooting Figures 206375-A Tables Xii Purpose PrefaceHard-Copy Technical Manuals AudienceTechnical Solutions Center Telephone Number How to Get HelpPage Chapter Introduction BayStack 70 Series 10/100 Ethernet Switches OverviewFront Panel Physical DescriptionFront Panel of the BayStack 70-8T 10/100 Ethernet Switch RJ-45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet Ports LEDs Type Label Color Activity Description Description of Switch and Port Status LEDsRear Panel of the BayStack 70-24T 10/100 Ethernet Switch DC Power Adapter Model MAC Addresses in Information Table FeaturesMAC Address Quantities Model Buffer Size Buffer SizesModel External Power Adapter External Power AdaptersPage Benefits of Using Switching Technology Chapter Network ConfigurationTypes of Ethernet Switches Before Desktop SwitchingSegment Switching Before After Extending a Network Bridging 10 Mb/s Networks to 100 Mb/s Networks Bridging from 10BASE-T to 100BASE-TX NetworksPower Workgroup Connections Power WorkgroupsPackage Contents Chapter InstallationOperating Environment Power SpecificationsSet the switch on a desktop or any other flat surface Installing the SwitchAttach any additional devices to the ports in your switch Installing the Switch in a Rack Connecting Devices to the SwitchConnecting Power Verifying Installation BayStack 70-24T 10/100 Ethernet Switch LED Display Checking the Diagnostic DisplaysDescription of Switch and Port Status LEDs Page Using the LED Display Chapter TroubleshootingPage Table A-1 Technical Specifications Appendix a Technical SpecificationsProduct Specifications Electromagnetic Emissions Physical SpecificationsEnvironmental Specifications Electromagnetic Susceptibility Safety Agency ApprovalsPerformance Specifications Page Table B-1 RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments Appendix B Cables and Connectors10BASE-T/100BASE-TX UTP Cable RJ-45Figure B-1. Straight-Through Twisted-Pair Cable Straight-Through and Crossover CablesNumbers IndexIndex-2