2E43-51 Overview
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.
1.3.4SmartTrunk
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.
1.3.5Runtime 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.
