3Com 5102B-EE installation and operation guide Introduction, Bridge Module

1 Introduction

This chapter describes the ONline™ Ethernet Bridge Module basic capabilities, operation, and system configuration alternatives. The ONline Ethernet Bridge Module is referenced throughout this manual as the Bridge Module.

The Bridge Module

The Bridge Module is a high-performance bridge that transparently interconnects your facility-wide Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 networks to form a single extended LAN. The Bridge Module fits into your ONline System Concentrator unit using only two slots and allows you to perform the following functions:

❑Interconnect Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 subnetworks

❑Isolate local traffic on subnetworks through dynamic and permanent packet filtering

❑Configure redundant LAN interconnection by using the IEEE 802.1(d) Spanning Tree Protocol

Introduction 1 - 1