EXP Computer PathBuilder S200 - Manual (Page 21)

Bridging 17
T0008-16F Release 5.2M
Bridge Hardware Components in PathBuilder S200 Series Switches
Bridge Hardware Components in PathBuilder S200 Series Switches
Introduction This section describes bridge hardware configuration and connections for the
PathBuilder S200 series switch.
Bridge
Configuration and
Connections Figure 12 shows the physical connections of the modules that provide bridging
functionality for PathBuilder S200 series switch. This figure shows a LAN port
module and supporting WAN Adapter module within a PathBuilder S200 series
switch. The LAN port module is broken out into a driver and a forwarder to show the
concept of bridge links.
At each end node, the bridge has connections referred to as bridge links. Bridge links
that connect to the LAN are referred to as LAN bridge links. Bridge links that
connect to remote bridges across the WAN are referred to as WAN bridge links.
Figure 12. LAN Port Module and WAN Adapter Module (Logical View)
The LAN port consists of low level drivers and the bridge forwarder. This can be
viewed as the functioning bridge. The WAN Adapter is closely associated with the
bridge. The WAN Adapter provides the network services that the bridge requires in
order to function over the WAN network. The principal service is establishing and
maintaining SVC (PVC for Frame Relay) connections to remote LAN bridge
forwarders so that virtual circuits can be formed between the forwarders.
The bridge sees the LAN and the WAN (by means of the WAN Adapter) as networks
it is attached to by links. There are a total of 36 links: four LAN links and 32 WAN
links.
LAN Interface
Support The PathBuilder S200 series switch supports only one LAN per node, so only one
link is needed for the LAN port connection: link number 1. The PathBuilder S24x,
26x, and 27x switch supports up to two Ethernet LANs per node. See “Dual LAN
Ethernet” section on page 117 for more details on this functionality.
On the PathBuilder S200 series switch links numbered 2 to 4 are not used and are
reserved for future configurations. WAN links are numbered 5 to 36 and provide up
to 32 WAN connection links which correspond to potential bridges.
Token
Ring
LAN
LAN
Driver
Up to 32 WAN links can be defined
(numbered 5 to 36), one for each
bridge connection over an SVC
(PVC for Frame Relay).
LAN
Bridge
Forwarder
WAN
Adaptor
5
.
.
.
.
32
1
LAN Link Numbers range from 1 to
4: up to two LAN connections are
supported for Ethernet.
X.25 SVCs connected to
SVCs on network ports
(PVCs for Frame Relay)
LAN Port Module