Cabletron Systems bridges, switches PIMs and BRIMs

4-1

Chapter 4

PIMs and BRIMsThis chapter deals with the special methods of connecting standalone and stackable devices to one another regardless of cabling media or networking technology.

While many network design implementations are simple and straightforward,

there are several that must incorporate complexity beyond a single segment,

media type, or even a single networking technology. These complex networks are

quite frequently the domain of modular networking chassis, such as the

Cabletron Systems MMAC-FNB series of hubs, or the enterprise network switch

platform, such as the Cabletron Systems MMAC-Plus. It is important that

workgroup devices be able to support complexity, so Cabletron Systems has

designed support for different media, segmentation, and internetworking needs

into several of its workgroup solutions devices.

Port Interface Modules

In order to support a wider variety of networking needs, Cabletron Systems

incorporated specialized, user-conﬁgurable ports on many of its standalone and

stackable devices. These ports, called Port Interface Module slots, or PIM slots, are

available openings in devices into which a PIM can be placed. These PIMs can be

constructed to provide connectivity for any standardized networking technology

and most port types.

Figure 4-1. PIM Conﬁguration

PIM

Device

2094n04

Contents

Main Page i Notice Notice Page Contents Contents iv Chapter 5 Network Design Chapter 8 Token Ring Chapter 7 Fast Ethernet Chapter 6 Ethernet Appendix A Charts and Tables Page 1-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Using This Guide Cabletron Systems Networking Guide - MMAC-FNB Solutions Document Organization Introduction Document Conventions 1-3 Document Conventions Additional Assistance Warnings and Notications Formats Related Documentation Chapter 2 Review of Networking 2-2 Ethernet Ethernet Fast Ethernet 2-3 Fast Ethernet 2-4 Fast Ethernet Token Ring 2-5 Token Ring 2-6 Token Ring Token Ring 2-7 2-8 Token Ring Page Page Chapter 3 The Workgroup Approach Standalones 3-2 Standalones Standalones, the Original Networking Devices Standalones 3-3 Management of Standalones Limitations of Standalones 3-4 Stackables Stackables physical organization logical organization Stackables 3-5 How Stacks Work HubSTACK Interconnect Cable REAR VIEW SEHI Managing 4 SEH Non-Intelligent Hubs 3-6 Stackables Intelligence in the Stack Internetworking for Stacks Stackables 3-7 Limitations of Stacks 3-8 Stackables 4-1 Chapter 4 PIMs and BRIMs PIM Port Interface Modules Device 4-2 Port Interface Modules EPIM-F2 Port Interface Modules 4-3 4-4 Port Interface Modules Port Interface Modules 4-5 4-6 Port Interface Modules Port Interface Modules 4-7 4-8 Bridge/Router Interface Modules Bridge/Router Interface Modules Types of BRIMs Bridge/Router Interface Modules 4-9 Page 5-1 Chapter 5 Network Design The following chapter discusses some of the more common approaches to workgroup network design. 5-2 The Role of the Workgroup Cabletron Systems Networking Guide - MMAC-FNB Solutions. The Role of the Workgroup Workgroup Establishment Criteria Page The Role of the Workgroup 5-5 Page Page 5-8 The Role of the Workgroup The Role of the Workgroup 5-9 Selecting Workgroup Technologies 5-10 Creating a Manageable Plan Creating a Manageable Plan Logical Layout Creating a Manageable Plan 5-11 5-12 Creating a Manageable Plan Fault Aversion Creating a Manageable Plan 5-13 5-14 Creating a Manageable Plan Network Maps and Record Keeping Network Expandability 5-15 Network Expandability 5-16 The Workgroup as the Network The Workgroup as the Network The Workgroup in the Larger Network The Workgroup in the Larger Network 5-17 What Is a Backbone? Methods of Conguring Backbones 5-18 The Workgroup in the Larger Network Page Page The Workgroup in the Larger Network 5-21 Choosing Backbone Technologies Page Chapter 6 Ethernet 6-2 Ethernet Workgroup Devices Ethernet Workgroup Devices Ethernet Workgroup Devices 6-3 6-4 Ethernet Workgroup Devices Switched Devices Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-5 Ethernet Workgroup Design The Home Ofce 6-6 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-7 6-8 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-9 6-10 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-11 The Small Ofce 6-12 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-13 6-14 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-15 6-16 Ethernet Workgroup Design The Remote Ofce Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-17 6-18 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-19 The High-End Department WAN (56K) 6-20 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-21 6-22 Ethernet Workgroup Design Ethernet Workgroup Design 6-23 6-24 Ethernet Workgroup Design Permutations 7-1 Chapter 7 Fast Ethernet Fast Ethernet Workgroup Devices 7-2 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Devices Switched Devices Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-3 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design Small Ofces 7-4 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-5 7-6 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design High-End Department Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-7 7-8 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-9 Fast Ethernet as a Backbone 7-10 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 7-11 7-12 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design 8-1 Chapter 8 Token Ring Token Ring Workgroup Devices 8-2 Token Ring Workgroup Devices Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-3 Token Ring Workgroup Design Small Ofce 8-4 Token Ring Workgroup Design Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-5 8-6 Token Ring Workgroup Design Token Ring Workgroup Design 8-7 Page A-1 Appendix A Charts and Tables Workgroup Design Tables Ethernet A-2 Workgroup Design Tables Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design Tables A-3 Token Ring A-4 Workgroup Design Tables PIMs and BRIMs Workgroup Design Tables A-5 A-6 Workgroup Design Tables Networking Standards and Limitations A-7 Networking Standards and Limitations Ethernet A-8 Networking Standards and Limitations Fast Ethernet Networking Standards and Limitations A-9 Token Ring A-10 Networking Standards and Limitations Networking Standards and Limitations A-11 FDDI Page Glossary Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Index-1 Index Numerics A B C H I N P R