Cabletron Systems 6000 manual Connectivity, Auto-Negotiation, Runtime IP Address Discovery

Overview

1.1.1Connectivity

The 6E233-49 SmartSwitch connects to Ethernet networks or workstations through the four RJ21 connectors on the front panel. These ports support Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables with an impedance between 85 and 111 ohms at lengths up to 100 meters. These ports are IEEE 802.3u 10BASE-TX compliant.

The 6E233-49 has a slot for an optional HSIM to provide additional connectivity to various networking technologies.

1.1.2Auto-Negotiation

The front panel ports on the 6E233-49 SmartSwitch module have the ability to auto-negotiate the type of connection required to provide a link to another device. During Auto-Negotiation, two devices automatically exchange information “telling” each other what their operating capabilities are. The Auto-Negotiation feature targets the maximum capabilities that can be reached between the two devices.

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 6E233-49 SmartSwitch cannot auto-negotiate, the 6E233-49 SmartSwitch interface operates according to the capabilities of the other device.

1.1.3Runtime IP Address Discovery

This feature enables the module 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 module is connected to the network and powered up, Runtime IP Address Discovery (RAD) checks the module for an IP address. If one has not yet been assigned (module and 6C105 chassis IP address set to 0.0.0.0), RAD checks to see if any of the module interfaces have a link. If so, RAD sends out Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) and BootP requests to obtain an IP address from a RARP or BootP server on the network.

The RAD requests start out at an interval of one second. The interval then doubles after every transmission until an interval of 300 seconds is reached. At this point, the interval remains at 300 seconds. The RAD requests continue until an IP address is received from a RARP or BootP server, or an IP address is entered using Local Management.

NOTE

The module will reboot after RAD is successful.

Introduction 1-3