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CrossFire 8600/8605 Token-Ring Switches v. 1.2, P/N: 710001641 Switch Theory of Operation
Stackable Architecture
The CrossFire 8600 and the CrossFire 8605 switch can be stacked using the
CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link module, the CrossFire 8635 Internal Stacker module
or the CrossFire 8300 Switch Stacker for connecting up to eight switches in a stack.
Back-to-Back
Two CrossFire 8600 series switches can be connected together by fitting each
switch with the CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link module and connecting the switches
together using an appropriate stacker link cable. This simple connection doubles
the number of ports available, giving a total maximum of 56 ports.
Internal Stacker
The CrossFire 8635 Internal Stacker Module can be inserted into the stacker port of
a switch. It allows up to four additional switches from the CrossFire 8600 series to be
stacked together with the switch containing the CrossFire 8635. Each switch in the
stack must be equipped with a CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link module and an
appropriate stacker link cable. This can result in a stack of as many as five CrossFire
8600 series switches, supplying a total of up to 140 switched Token-Ring ports. The
CrossFire 8635 Internal Stacker Module works as a common backplane switching
fabric, which provides 1.4 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth.
External Stacker
The CrossFire 8300 Switch Stacker is an external stack unit that allows up to eight
CrossFire 8600 series switches to be stacked together. Each switch in the stack
must be equipped with an CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link Module and an appropriate
stacker link cable. This can result in a total of up to 224 switched Token-Ring ports.
The CrossFire 8300 Switch Stacker works as a common backplane switching
fabric, which provides 2.2 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth.
➽ Note:
The CrossFire 8600 and the CrossFire 8605 can be stacked together with
switches from the CrossFire 8600 series in any desired combination. All switches
in a stack must, however, run the same software version.
Optional Redundant Power Supply
The switch has an input for a backup power supply. It is compatible with the
CrossFire 8310 Redundant Power Supply Chassis, which can supply backup power
for up to six switches, when up to six CrossFire 8311 Redundant Power Supply
Units are installed in the chassis. This gives a high degree of resilience to power
supply failures. The switch will start using the external power supply if the internal
supply fails. The switch monitors the power source and informs the network
management system which supply is in use.