Cabletron Systems STS16-20R, STS16-20D manual Switch Overview

Models: STS16-20R STS16-20D

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2. Switch Overview

The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R is an IEEE 802.5-compliant device designed to boost throughput on Token Ring networks. It operates as a Media Access Control (MAC)-layer device that is protocol independent.

This chapter describes how the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R operates as a single stand-alone unit. The switch contains the following main elements, as listed below:

Switching Bus—the architecture of the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R centers around the AXIS bus, a 520 Mbps switching fabric through which all switched ports communicate. The AXIS bus is a partially asynchronous time division multiplexed bus used for switching packets between heterogeneous LAN modules.

Token Ring Ports—each port can attach to a classical Token Ring segment or to a dedicated station (on SmartStack STS16-20D, ports 1–16 are workstation ports). Now users running basic applications are able to share bandwidth, and users running bandwidth-intensive applications can receive their own dedicated 16 Mbps port. Each dedicated port can also be set up in full-duplex communication mode, so that each 16 Mbps port doubles to 32 Mbps.

Stack Link Module—the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R switch family includes a stack link module that can be used to connect two SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R family switches in a back-to-back configuration. Alternatively, up to five switches can be connected together using and internal stacker module, and up to eight switches can be connected together using the stack link module and an additional switch stack unit. By connecting switches together through the stack link module, the switches virtually combine to form a single unit, providing scalability, simplified management, and enhanced performance.

Switch Overview

SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R Token Ring Switches Installation and User Guide

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Cabletron Systems STS16-20R, STS16-20D manual Switch Overview