Cabletron Systems bridges, switches EPIM-F2

PIMs and BRIMs

4-2 Port Interface Modules

The PIMs can be added at any time, allowing a Network Manager to add

capabilities for special links at any time. Originally developed for use in the

Cabletron Systems Media Interface Module (MIM) line for the MMAC-FNB

modular chassis, the PIMs allow a device to support an additional type of cabling

in addition to its primary cabling type. A device which was built to provide 24

RJ45 ports for connections to UTP cabling can also support a single multimode

ﬁber optic connection with the addition of a PIM that supports multimode ﬁber

optics.

In essence, the PIMs act as internal transceivers. The internalization of the PIMs

provides speciﬁc beneﬁts over external transceivers. The internalized PIM does

not need a metal or plastic case, requires no dedicated power supply, does not

require jumper cabling, and, most important from a design point of view, only

counts as one transceiver in a network link.

Types of PIMs

To provide connectivity options for the widest variety of networking needs, and

to increase the ﬂexibility of Cabletron Systems networking devices, there are

several types of PIMs available. These different PIMs are designated by a preﬁx

and a sufﬁx. A table detailing all the currently released PIMs and the special

characteristics of them may be found at the end of this section.

Figure 4-2. PIM Decoding

The preﬁx of the PIM’s name (in this case “E”) identiﬁes what networking

technology the PIM is designed for use with. Most often this preﬁx is the ﬁrst

letter of that technology’s name (E for Ethernet, T for Token Ring, etc.). PIMs may

only be used in devices of the correct networking technology. You may not, for

example, place an Ethernet PIM in a Token Ring device. The PIM will not operate,

and may, in fact, disrupt the operation of the Token Ring network.

NOTE As a reminder: an Ethernet network may not contain any path

where a signal passes through more than three transceivers

before reaching its destination or passing through a bridge,

switch, or repeater.

EPIM-F2

(E)thernet (F)iber Optics

Type 2

(ST Connectors) 2094n05

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