Chapter 11. 8260 Multiprotocol Interconnect Module
This chapter provides an overview of the routing and bridging functions provided
by the Multiprotocol Interconnect module as well as discussing the steps
required to configure the module to perform these functions.
In this document, we have assumed that the reader is familiar with routing and
bridging protocols.

11.1 Introduction

The 8260 Multiprotocol Interconnect module is a one or two-slot module for the
8260 which allows you to interconnect Ethernet, 802.3, and token-ring networks
using bridging and/or routing functions. These modules provide 6 ports for
backplane attachments to the Ethernet segments on the ShuntBus or TriChannel.
Additionally, the two-slot module provides you with the capability to install two
additional I/O cards for providing connection to external token-ring and/or
Ethernet networks. These additional I/O cards will provide the seventh and
eighth port on the module. At the time of writing this book, the following I/O
cards are available:
•Token-ring 4/16 I/O card
•Ethernet 10Base-T I/O card
•Ethernet 10Base-2 I/O card
•Ethernet 10Base-5 I/O card
Note that the I/O cards for the two-slot module only provide attachment
capability to the external networks. For example, installation of the token-ring
I/O card does not provide the ability to connect the module to the token-ring
segments on the backplane.
The one-slot module can perform the following functions:
•Transparent bridging between Ethernet/802.3 segments
•IP routing between Ethernet/802.3 segments
•IPX routing between Ethernet/802.3 segments
•DECnet Phase IV routing between Ethernet/802.3 segments
The two-slot module can perform the following functions:
•Transparent bridging between Ethernet/802.3 segments
•Transparent bridging between token-ring segments operating at 4 and/or 16
Mbps
•Source route transparent bridging between token-ring segments operating at
4 and/or 16 Mbps
•Translational bridging between token-ring and Ethernet or 802.3 segments
when both sides use transparent bridging
•IP routing between Ethernet/802.3 and/or token-ring segments
•IPX routing between Ethernet/802.3 and/or token-ring segments
•DECnet Phase IV routing between Ethernet/802.3 segments
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