Cabletron Systems 7C04 Workgroup manual 1.3.1 7X00 SmartSwitch Controller Module

Introduction

1.3.1 7X00 SmartSwitch Controller Module

The 7X00 SmartSwitch Controller Module is the only processing and management element in the 7C04 Chassis. The 7X00 Module has no front panel data ports. All data enters and exits the 7X00 Module via the SmartSwitch Bus on the chassis’ backplane. The 7X00 Module directs incoming data to its intended destination by using a group of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) collectively known as the SmartSwitch Core. All packet switching functions are performed in the module’s SmartSwitch Core. The SmartSwitch Core is capable of switching up to 750,000 frames per second. The firmware on a 7X00 Module determines the SmartSwitch Core’s operating mode (traditional switch or SecureFast Packet Switch). The module’s CPU (an i960 microprocessor®) is used to collect management data of the SmartSwitch system (including the status of the chassis’ power supply and fans).

Note: The 7X00 Module is not hot-swappable. Because the 7X00 Module is the only processing/management module in the 7C04 Chassis, removing the 7X00 Module will sever communications to all SmartSwitch interface modules in the 7C04 Chassis.

1.3.2 SmartSwitch interface modules

SmartSwitch interface modules in a 7C04 Chassis communicate freely with each other via the chassis’ SmartSwitch Bus and 7X00 SmartSwitch Controller Module. SmartSwitch interface modules can be installed or removed from the 7C04 Chassis at any time without impacting the rest of the network.

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