GE ML1200 Switch User Manual


 
4–2 MULTILINK ML1200 MANAGED FIELD SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL
OPERATION CHAPTER 4: OPERATION
4.1.1.2 Address Learning
All Multilink ML1200 units have address table capacities of 4K node addresses suitable for
use in larger networks. They are self-learning, so as nodes are added, removed or moved
from one segment to another, the ML1200 Switch automatically keeps up with node
locations.
An address-aging algorithm causes least-used addresses to fall out in favor for frequently-
used addresses. To reset the address buffer, cycle power down-and-up.
4.1.2 Status LEDs
For Multilink ML1200 models (/ML1200) :
PWR: Power LED, ON when external power is applied to the unit.
LK: Steady ON, Link status for 10 Mbps and 100Mbps operation.
ACT: ON with port activity for 10 Mbps and 100Mbps operation.
F/H: Full / Half duplex LED, ON when the port is running full duplex, OFF for half duplex.
100/10: Speed LED, ON when the speed is 100Mbps , OFF when the speed is 10 Mbps
4.1.3 Auto-Cross (MDIX) and Auto-negotiation, for RJ-45 ports
The RJ-45 ports independently support auto-cross (MDI or MDIX) in auto-negotiation mode
and will work properly with all the other connected devices with RJ-45 ports whether they
support Auto-negotiation (e.g 10Mb Hub, media converter) or fixed mode at 10Mb or
100Mb Half/Full Duplex(managed switch) or not. No cross-over cable is required while
using the ML1200’s copper port to other devices. Operation is according to the IEEE 802.3u
standard.
The Managed ML1200’s Fast Ethernet copper ports can be set for either fixed 100Mb
speed or for 10/100 F/H N-way auto-negotiation per the IEEE802.3u standard. The
selection is made via MNS software. The factory default setting is for auto-negotiation. At
10Mb or 100Mb-fixed speed, the user may select half- or full-duplex mode by
management Software for each RJ-45 port separately.
One frequently-used application for the Managed Multilink ML1200 Switch copper ports is
to connect one of them using a fiber media converter to another Switch in the network
backbone, or to some other remote 100Mb device. In this case, it is desirable to operate
the fiber link at 100Mb speed, and at either half- or full duplex mode depending on the
capabilities of the remote device. Standard commercially available Fast Ethernet media
converters mostly do not support auto-negotiation properly, and require that the switched
port to which they are connected be at the 100Mb fixed speed. Attachments to a 10/100
auto-negotiation port typically will not work properly. The ML1200 Switch’s RJ-45 ports
handle this situation by configuring the ports as per desired through MNS software port
settings and can check the port status of each port after the change.
When Multilink ML1200 RJ-45 copper ports are set for auto-negotiation and are connected
to another auto-negotiating device, there are 4 different speed and F/H modes possible
depending on what the other device supports. These are: (1) 100Mb full-duplex, (2) 100Mb
half-duplex, (3) 10 Mb full-duplex and (4) 10 Mb half-duplex.