Chapter 1: Introduction to the AT-29xx Series Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapters

Functional Description

The AT-29xx Series Gigabit Ethernet Network adapters target the increased congestion experienced at the backbone and server in today’s networks. These adapters provide a future upgrade path for high-end workstations that require more bandwidth than Fast Ethernet can provide.

The adapter connects a PCI compliant server or workstation to a Gigabit Ethernet network. The adapter incorporates a technology that transfers data at a maximum rate of 2Gbps—20 times the rate of Fast Ethernet adapters. In addition, the adapters use fiber optic cabling and a connector that meets 62.5/125um or 50/125um multimode specifications. These adapters operate at 1000 Mbps full-duplex mode only.

The AT-29xxSX Series of Gigabit Ethernet adapters includes the following models:

ˆAT-2916SX

ˆAT-2931SX

ˆAT-2972SX

ˆAT-2972SX/2

The AT-2916 adapter is a 33/66Mhz 32-bit interface (PCI) card and is available in three versions:

ˆAT-2916SX/SC adapter

ˆAT-2916SX/LC adapter

ˆAT-2916LX10/LC-901 adapter (suitable for long-haul fiber optic cables)

The AT-2931SX adapter is a 33/66/133Mhz 32/64-bit interface (PCI-X) card and is available in two versions:

ˆAT-2931SX/SC adapter

ˆAT-2931SX/LC adapter

The AT-2972SX/2, and AT-2972T/2 adapters are both PCI Express 4- channel devices. The AT-2972SX is a PCI Express 1-channel device.

The AT-2972LX10/LC-901 adapter is suitable for long-haul fiber optic cables. The AT-2972SX has one port and the AT-2972SX/2 has two ports. All ports have LC connectors. The AT-2972T/2 has two gigabit copper ports.

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Allied Telesis AT-2931SX, AT-2916LX10/LC-901, AT-2916SX, AT-2972T/2, AT-2972SX/2, AT-2972LX10/LC-901 Functional Description

AT-2916LX10/LC-901, AT-2972SX, AT-2972SX/2, AT-2972LX10/LC-901, AT-2916SX specifications

The Allied Telesis AT-2972T/2 is a highly capable 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet switch designed to provide reliable performance and advanced management features for small to medium-sized businesses. This switch is built on a robust technology platform, making it an ideal choice for organizations looking to enhance their network infrastructure while ensuring scalability and flexibility.

One of the main features of the AT-2972T/2 is its support for 24 ports, allowing for extensive connectivity in a compact footprint. This makes it suitable for environments where space is limited but connectivity demands are high. With auto-negotiation on all ports, the switch automatically detects the best speed and duplex mode, ensuring optimal performance and seamless integration into existing networks.

The AT-2972T/2 incorporates advanced Layer 2 switching capabilities, enabling efficient handling of data traffic. Its ability to support VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) tagging allows for network segmentation, improving performance and security. This feature is particularly beneficial for organizations that require different departments or teams to maintain their network traffic separately.

Quality of Service (QoS) is another significant aspect of the AT-2972T/2. The switch provides multiple traffic prioritization levels, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth to function effectively. This is essential in maintaining the performance of real-time applications such as VoIP and video conferencing, which are increasingly crucial in today’s business environment.

The built-in diagnostics features of the AT-2972T/2 enhance its reliability and ease of management. With capabilities such as loop detection and port mirroring, network administrators can quickly troubleshoot issues and monitor traffic flow to ensure a stable network.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) support is available in some configurations of the AT-2972T/2, allowing the switch to deliver power to connected devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points. This capability simplifies installations and reduces the need for additional power sources, streamlining the deployment of network devices.

Furthermore, the switch is designed with energy efficiency in mind, adhering to environmental standards that help organizations reduce their carbon footprint while cutting energy costs.

In summary, the Allied Telesis AT-2972T/2 stands out as a versatile and robust Fast Ethernet switch, equipped with essential features like VLAN support, QoS, PoE, and advanced diagnostics. Its combination of performance, management capabilities, and energy efficiency makes it an excellent choice for businesses aiming to build a reliable and future-proof network infrastructure.