Cabletron Systems 7C03 MMAC Switch User Manual


 
1-2
Introduction
In addition, any local management information that is specific to a
particular SmartSwitch interface module is described in a module
specific local management appendix. For example, the
7E03-24
Ethernet SmartSwitch Interface Module Local Management Appendix
explains information that is specific to local management of the
7E03-24 Module only.
1.3 7C03 MMAC SMARTSWITCH OVERVIEW
The 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch (Figure 1-1) is a metal enclosure
that can be placed into two module slots of an MMAC chassis. The
7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch attaches to the MMAC chassis’ power
bus, but does not attach to the data channels on the chassis’
backplane. The 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch can be installed or
removed from the MMAC chassis at any time without affecting the
operation of the rest of the network.
The 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch has three module slots. The left-
most slot (slot one) is reserved for the 7X00 SmartSwitch Controller
Module, a management module that contains a Smart Switching
engine. The other two slots can support any combination of
Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and ATM SmartSwitch interface
module
s
.
Spanning the rear wall of the 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch is the
SmartSwitch Bus. All modules that are inserted into the 7C03
MMAC SmartSwitch connect to the SmartSwitch Bus. All
communication between modules within the 7C03 MMAC
SmartSwitch is achieved via the SmartSwitch Bus.
All data and management information from SmartSwitch interface
modules within the 7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch is relayed along the
SmartSwitch Bus to the 7X00 Module. All switching functions are
performed by the 7X00 Module. Thus, within the confines of the
7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch, data can be freely transmitted
regardless of front panel technology. With no external bridges or
routers, the transfer of data from one point to another within the
7C03 MMAC SmartSwitch is virtually direct.