Filter
Top Products
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-10 Overview
Writer: Fran Spragens Project: Overview Comments: 355307-002
File Name:3324_1.doc Last Saved On:3/16/99 11:31 AM
Frame Buffering and Frame Latency
The switch is a store-and-forward switching device. Each frame is copied into
switch memory before being forwarded to another port. This method ensures
that all forwarded frames conform to a standard Ethernet frame size and have a
correct cyclic redundancy check (CRC) for data integrity. This switching
method prevents bad frames from traversing the network and using up valuable
network bandwidth, as with cut-through switching technology.
To minimize the possibility of dropping frames on congested ports, the switch
provides 4 MB of dynamically allocated frame buffering per 8 10/100 ports and
8 MB per gigabit port. This buffer space is used to queue packets for
transmission on congested networks. This is an additional advantage over cut-
through switching technology, which drops packets immediately when
experiencing collisions.
Software Download
The switch supports the industry-standard Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
for downloading software to the switch. All switch software is stored in a 1 MB
sectored Flash ROM. The download feature allows you to easily install
software upgrades to the unit. Compaq Networking Management Software
includes a TFTP server and a configuration application to allow for the software
downloads. Software can alternatively be downloaded via the serial console
port using the XMODEM protocol.
A TFTP or XMODEM software download is invoked via the Download
Software Menu using the console menus. A TFTP download can also be
invoked via SNMP.
Non-volatile Parameter Storage
Important operating parameters such as IP addresses, Spanning Tree
configuration, and management security parameters, are stored in non-volatile
Flash memory. These values are retained when the switch experiences power
interruptions or is powered down for normal maintenance.