Cabletron Systems EMM-E6 Ethernet manual Mmac with Flexible Network BUS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.3THE MMAC WITH FLEXIBLE NETWORK BUS

The Multi Media Access Center with Flexible Network Bus (MMAC-FNB) provides the operational platform for the EMM-E6. The MMAC-FNB (backplane) provides two physically separate buses - Channel A (operating over the MMAC Power and Management bus), and Channels B and C (on the FNB). Each of these channels/buses allows different MIM types to access the EMM-E6 (Figure 1-1).

These channels/buses interconnect through the EMM-E6 to provide bridging or routing and management for all MIMs in the MMAC chassis.

Power & Management Bus

Ethernet A Bus

Flexible Network Bus

Ethernet B Bus

Ethernet C Bus

Figure 1-1. MMAC Flexible Network Bus

Two types of MMACs currently support FNB architecture - shunting and non-shunting. MMACs equipped with shunting backplanes allow modules operating on Channels B and C to continue communicating with the EMM-E6, regardless of whether there is an empty slot or an Ethernet Channel A module between them in the chassis. The following table gives the part numbers of the MMAC chassis that have shunting capabilities.

1-10 EMM-E6 User’s Guide