42 5 Features
By means of frame tagging, SysKonnect SK-98xx V2.0 Gigabit Ethernet A dapters can sup-
port up to 64 IP address assignments in a single network con nection. Thus, multiple VLANs
can be configured for one port. Stations can be accessed from systems in mul tiple IP sub nets
without traversing routers. Additionally, multiple application VLANs can be defined to isolate
traffic for performance and security purposes. For this reason, the server can be physically
connected to a single switch port but still belong to several VLANs. The Gigab it Ethernet
adapter can receive tagged packets and is able to tag outgoing packets. The switch the
adapter is connected to must support VLAN tagging according to IEEE 802.1q.
For several operating systems, SysKonnect offers drivers that support VLAN tagging and thus
can be applied for VLAN servers and terminal units.
For more information on Virtual LANs, refer to the White Paper “Virtual Networks”, which can
be found on the installation CD-ROM under “White Papers” or on our web site under “Tech-
nology”. Also see the corresponding readme files for the respec tive drivers.
Virtual Cable Tester™ (VCT)The VCT technology utilizes Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technology to remotely diag-
nose the quality and characteristics of the attached cables. Using this t echnology it is possible
to detect and report potential cabling issues such as cable opens, cable shorts or any imped-
ance mismatches in the cable and accurately report - within one meter - the distance to the
fault. The VCT technology enables the IT manager or the end user to quickly identify the fail-
ing mechanism and isolate the source of the problem.
The VCT feature is only available for SysKonnect SK-9821 V2.0 Gigabit Ethe rnet 10/100/
1000Base-T Adapters. If the port of a SysKonnect SK-9821 V2.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter i s
selected in the VCT tab of the SysKonnect Network Control, a table is displayed, which lists
the cable pairs, the status of the corresponding cable pair, the distance to the fault (length),
and the status of the test (see figure 4 ). If at the selected adapter a link is up, DSP (Digital
Signal Processor) is activated, which reports the speed of the conne ction and the length of
the cable (only if link is at Gigabit speed). VCT cannot be started if the link is active.
The following states of a cable pair are possible after VCT has been executed:
•Normal cable
The cable pair is connected correctly.
•Short cable
Two or more cable pairs are short-circuited together. VCT reports the distance to the
short-circuit in meters.
•Open cable
Lack of continuity between the pins at each end of the twisted-pair cable, i.e. the cable
pair is not connected correctly. VCT reports the distance to the open location in meters.
•Test failed
The test of the cable pairs was not successful.
•Impedance mismatch
The impedance on the cable pair is not correct. Possible reasons for impedance mis-
match:
• The cable pair is not connected properly.
• The cable pair is damaged.
• The connector is faulty.
VCT reports the distance to the impedance mismatch in meters.