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Introduction SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R Token Ring Switches Installation and User Guide
STS16-20D/STS16-20R to be used as a switch of switches which provides media
flexibility in an Token Ring configuration.
The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R can easily connect with other SmartStack
products to deliver a broad range of network carrying capacity. Bandwidth is easily
scaled to meet all performance requirements.
Switch of Servers
With client/server applications, many client workstations may attempt to access a
single server at the same time. This traffic pattern may create bottlenecks at the
server. To further enhance performance, the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R
can deliver dedicated bandwidth to high-speed file servers. All servers perform
better with dedicated 16 Mbps bandwidth.
Even better performance can be achieved by installing multiple adapters in the
server. By connecting these adapters to the switch, multiple 16 Mbps paths to the
server are created, a solution that is only possible when using a switch.
The switch ties together all Token Ring devices lined to a local wiring center. In
networks, where a significant portion of the traffic moves locally between client
and server, the switch can be very effective.
Switch of Hubs
When network traffic increases beyond the capability of hubs, contention results.
Applications suffer and may even fail. The net effect of such a network
configuration is that all devices share a single 16 Mbps data path, thus reducing
overall network efficiency. The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R can be very
effective when used as a switch of hubs.
The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R can alleviate contention through
microsegmentation, or reducing the number of devices in each shared segment. To
provide microsegmentation, the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R divides a
single 16 Mbps segment into multiple 16 Mbps segments. As an example, a
workgroup has 16 Mbps of capacity. The 20 ports on the SmartStack STS16-20D/
STS16-20R support 10 simultaneous conversations with 20 hubs, thus providing
the workgroup with 160 Mbps bandwidth throughput, which results in a significant
gain in bandwidth. Note that on the SmartStack STS16-20D, hubs can only be
connected to the network ports 17–20.
Switch of Desktops
The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R is a cost-effective means of providing
dedicated bandwidth to individual desktop workstations. In this application, the
SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R replaces a hub, providing excellent, hub-like