2E43-51 Overview
2E43-51/2E43-51R User’s Guide 1-5
When Auto-Negotiation is supported at both ends of a link, the two
devices dynamically adjust to full or half duplex operation based on the
maximum capability that can be reached between the two devices. If the
device connected to the FE-100TX cannot auto-negotiate, the FE-100TX
Fast Ethernet Interface Module operates according to the capabilities of
the other device.
1.3.4 SmartTrunk
SmartTrunk, also referred to as SmartTrunking, is Cabletron Systems’
terminology for load balancing or load sharing. SmartTrunk technology
provides an easy-to-implement mechanism to group, or aggregate,
multiple physical links together to scale the backbone bandwidth beyond
the limitations of a single link. All links are user-configurable so
administrators can scale the backbone bandwidth by adding SmartTrunk
links. The SmartTrunk benefits are as follows:
•
All purchased bandwidth is used.
•
Distributed, resilient links increase reliability and performance.
•
Multiple technologies are supported within a single trunk for
maximum flexibility.
For more information about SmartTrunk, refer to the Cabletron Systems
SmartTrunk User’s Guide
.
1.3.5 Runtime IP Address Discovery
This feature enables the 2E43-51 to automatically accept an IP address
from a Boot Strap Protocol (BootP) server on the network into NVRAM
without requiring a user to enter an IP address through Local
Management.
When the 2E43-51 is connected to the network and powered up, Runtime
IP Address Discovery (RAD) checks the 2E43-51 for an IP address. If one
has not yet been assigned (2E43-51 IP address set to 0.0.0.0), RAD
checks to see if any of the 2E43-51 interfaces have a link. If so, RAD
sends out Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) and BootP
requests to obtain an IP address from a BootP server on the network.