Cabletron Systems Network Card 9A128 01 User Manual

Title Page  
Cabletron Systems  
9A128-01™  
Management Module Guide  
for Microsoft® Windows™  
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Contents  
Chapter 1  
Introduction  
Using This Guide .......................................................................................................... 1-1  
Related Reading ............................................................................................................ 1-2  
Software Conventions .................................................................................................. 1-3  
Common Window Fields...................................................................................... 1-3  
Using Buttons ......................................................................................................... 1-4  
Getting Help .................................................................................................................. 1-4  
Using On-line Help................................................................................................ 1-4  
Getting Help from the Cabletron Systems Global Call Center ....................... 1-5  
Firmware Versions Supported..................................................................................... 1-6  
Chapter 2  
The 9A128-01 Module View  
Viewing Module Information...................................................................................... 2-2  
Front Panel Information........................................................................................ 2-2  
Menu Structure....................................................................................................... 2-4  
Port Status Displays............................................................................................... 2-8  
Selecting a Port Status View.......................................................................... 2-9  
Bridge Port Status Displays........................................................................... 2-9  
Bridge Port Status Color Codes........................................................... 2-10  
The FDDI Port Status Displays................................................................... 2-10  
FDDI Port Status Color Codes............................................................. 2-12  
The Chassis Manager Window .......................................................................... 2-12  
Viewing Hardware Types ................................................................................... 2-13  
Device Type ................................................................................................... 2-13  
Module Type.................................................................................................. 2-13  
Viewing I/F Summary Information.................................................................. 2-14  
Interface Performance Statistics/Bar Graphs........................................... 2-15  
Interface Statistics Window......................................................................... 2-17  
Making Sense of Interface Statistics.................................................... 2-19  
Using the Find Source Address Feature ........................................................... 2-19  
Managing the Hub...................................................................................................... 2-20  
Setting the Device Date and Time ..................................................................... 2-20  
Enabling and Disabling Ports ............................................................................ 2-21  
Bridge Ports ................................................................................................... 2-21  
Module Ports................................................................................................. 2-22  
Chapter 3  
ATM Configuration  
Accessing the ATM Connections Window ................................................................ 3-1  
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Contents  
Configuring Connections.............................................................................................3-4  
Adding a New Connection...................................................................................3-4  
Deleting a Connection...........................................................................................3-5  
Chapter 4  
FDDI Management  
Configuration.................................................................................................................4-2  
Connection Policy .........................................................................................................4-6  
Station List......................................................................................................................4-8  
Stations Panel..........................................................................................................4-9  
Performance .................................................................................................................4-10  
Chapter 5  
Bridging  
The Bridge Status Window ..........................................................................................5-2  
Accessing Other Management Options from the  
Bridge Status Window ...................................................................................5-3  
Configuring Duplex Modes.........................................................................................5-4  
Enabling and Disabling Bridging ...............................................................................5-5  
Bridge Statistics .............................................................................................................5-6  
Performance Graphs..............................................................................................5-6  
Configuring the Bridge Performance Graphs.............................................5-8  
The Bridge Detail Breakdown Window.......................................................5-8  
The Bridge Port Detail Breakdown Window ..............................................5-9  
The Interface Statistics Window.........................................................................5-10  
Using Source Addressing...........................................................................................5-12  
Setting the Ageing Time...............................................................................5-13  
Bridge Spanning Tree..................................................................................................5-14  
Configuring the Bridge Spanning Tree Window.............................................5-15  
Changing Bridge Spanning Tree Parameters...................................................5-18  
Changing Bridge Priority ............................................................................5-19  
Changing the Spanning Tree Algorithm Protocol Type ..........................5-19  
Changing Hello Time ...................................................................................5-19  
Changing Max Age Time.............................................................................5-20  
Changing Forwarding Delay Time.............................................................5-20  
Changing Port Priority.................................................................................5-20  
Changing Path Cost......................................................................................5-21  
Filtering Database .......................................................................................................5-21  
Configuring the Filtering Database...................................................................5-25  
Altering the Ageing Time ............................................................................5-26  
Changing the Type of Entry ........................................................................5-26  
Changing the Receive Port ..........................................................................5-26  
Changing the Port Filtering Action............................................................5-26  
Adding or Deleting Individual Entries......................................................5-26  
Clearing All Permanent, Static, or Dynamic Entries................................5-27  
Index  
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Chapter 1  
Introduction  
How to use this guide; getting help; software conventions; related reading; firmware versions  
Welcome to the Cabletron Systems MMAC-Plus™ Remote Management for the  
9A128-01™ User’s Guide. We have designed this document to serve as a simple  
reference guide for using MMAC-Plus Remote Management for the 9A128-01  
FDDI/ATM bridge module. You should read through this guide to fully  
understand SPECTRUM Element Manager remote management for the 9A128-01.  
The 9A128-01 ATM Access Module provides two bridging interfaces which allow  
you to connect an external ATM network to either one of the two FDDI networks  
resident on the MMAC-Plus hub’s FNB backplane. External front panel  
connections are made via a SONET, OC3 ATM interface. The 9A128-01 can be  
used to aggregate FNB traffic to an ATM backbone, or provide connectivity  
between ATM workstations and traditional LAN users. The 9A128-01 is an 802.3  
LAN Emulation Client (LEC) device and will operate in an 802.3 emulated LAN;  
see Chapter 6, LEC Administrator, in your SPECTRUM Element Manager Tools  
Guide for more information.  
IETF RFC 1483 — Multi-Protocol Encapsulation over ATM Adaptation Layer 5 —  
specifies a number of methods for encapsulating LAN traffic for transmission  
over ATM networks. Current versions of the 9A128-01 firmware use 802.3  
VC-based multiplexing for bridging protocols; the most recent version of  
firmware (2.10.13) supports ATM Forum LAN Emulation and UNI 3.0/3.1 SVC  
signaling; future version will add support for Cabletron’s SecureFast Switching.  
Using This Guide  
Each chapter in this guide describes one major functionality or a collection of  
several smaller functionalities supported by the 9A128-01 module. This guide  
contains information about software functions which are accessed directly from  
the Module View; for information about functions which are accessed via the  
MMAC-Plus Chassis View and/or the console window menu bar, consult the  
1-1  
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Introduction  
Installing and Using SPECTRUM Element Manager Guide, Using MMAC+  
Remote Management, User’s Guide and SPECTRUM Element Manager Tools  
Guide.  
Chapter 1, Introduction, provides a list of related documentation, describes  
certain software conventions, and shows you how to contact Cabletron Systems’  
Global Call Center. A brief description of the 9A128-01 module is also provided.  
Chapter 2, The 9A128-01 Module View, describes the visual display of the  
9A128-01 and explains how to use the mouse within the Module View; the  
operation of several device-level management functions — such as changing the  
port display, enabling and disabling ports, and setting device date and time— is  
also described here.  
Chapter 4, ATM Configuration, describes how to configure Permanent Virtual  
Circuits (PVCs) for the ATM interface(s) available on each device’s front panel.  
Chapter 5, FDDI Management, describes the Configuration, Connection Policy,  
Station List, and Performance selections available from the FDDI menu. These  
windows provide information about each module’s FDDI FNB connections.  
Chapter 6, Bridging, provides a comprehensive look at all management options  
associated with the bridge portion of the 9A128-01, including Bridge Performance  
Graphs, Spanning Tree, and the Filtering Database.  
We assume that you have a general working knowledge of Ethernet, IEEE 802.3,  
FDDI, ANSI X3T9.5, and ATM Forum type data communications networks and  
their physical layer components, and that you are familiar with basic bridging  
and switching concepts.  
Related Reading  
The 9A128-01 user’s guide is only part of a complete document set designed to  
provide comprehensive information about the features available to you through  
SPECTRUM Element Manager. Other guides which supply important  
information related to managing these modules include:  
Cabletron Systems’ Installing and Using SPECTRUM Element Manager  
Cabletron Systems’ Using MMAC-Plus Remote Management User’s Guide  
Cabletron Systems’ SPECTRUM Element Manager Tools Guide  
Cabletron Systems’ SPECTRUM Element Manager Remote Administration Tools  
User’s Guide  
Cabletron Systems’ Network Troubleshooting Guide  
Microsoft Corporation’s Microsoft Windows User’s Guide  
For more information about the capabilities of the 9A128-01, consult the  
appropriate hardware documentation.  
1-2  
Related Reading  
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Introduction  
Software Conventions  
The SPECTRUM Element Manager user interface contains a number of elements  
which are common to most windows and which operate the same regardless of  
which window they appear in. A brief description of some of the most common  
elements appears below; note that the information provided here is not repeated  
in the descriptions of specific windows and/or functions.  
Common Window Fields  
Similar descriptive information is displayed in boxes at the top of most windows  
in SPECTRUM Element Manager, as illustrated in Figure 1-1, below.  
Device  
Location  
Name  
MAC  
Address  
IP Address  
Figure 1-1. Sample Window Showing Group Boxes  
Device Name  
Displays the user-defined name of the device. The device name can be changed  
via the System Group window; see the Generic SNMP User’s Guide for details.  
IP Address  
Displays the device’s IP (Internet Protocol) Address; this will be the IP address  
used to define the device icon. IP addresses are assigned via Local Management;  
they cannot be changed via SPECTRUM Element Manager.  
Software Conventions  
1-3  
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Introduction  
Location  
Displays the user-defined location of the device. The location is entered through  
the System Group window; see the Generic SNMP User’s Guide for details.  
MAC Address  
Displays the manufacturer-set MAC address of the channel through which  
SPECTRUM Element Manager is communicating with the device. MAC  
addresses are factory-set and cannot be altered.  
Using Buttons  
The  
button that appears at the bottom of most windows allows you to  
exit a window and terminate any unsaved changes you have made. You may also  
have to use this button to close a window after you have made any necessary  
changes and set them by clicking on an  
,
, or  
button.  
An , or button appears in windows that have  
,
configurable values; it allows you to confirm and SET changes you have made to  
those values. In some windows, you may have to use this button to confirm each  
individual set; in other windows, you can set several values at once and confirm  
the sets with one click on the button.  
The  
button brings up a Help text box with information specific to the  
current window. For more information concerning Help buttons, see Getting  
Help, below.  
The command buttons, for example  
, call up a menu listing the windows,  
screens, or commands available for that topic.  
Any menu topic followed by ... (three dots) — for example Statistics... — calls up  
a window or screen associated with that topic.  
Getting Help  
This section describes two different methods of getting help for questions or  
concerns you may have while using SPECTRUM Element Manager.  
Using On-line Help  
You can use the  
buttons to obtain information specific to a particular  
window. When you click on a Help button, a window will appear which contains  
context-sensitive on-screen documentation that will assist you in the use of the  
windows and their associated command and menu options. Note that if a Help  
button is grayed out, on-line help has not yet been implemented for the associated  
window.  
1-4  
Getting Help  
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Introduction  
From the Help menu accessed from the Module View window menu bar, you can  
access on-line Help specific to the Module View window, as well as bring up the  
Chassis Manager window for reference. Refer to Chapter 2 for information on the  
Module View and Chassis Manager windows.  
All of the SPECTRUM Element Manager help windows use the standard Microsoft  
Windows help facility; if you are unfamiliar with this feature of Windows, you can select  
Help —>How to Use Help from the console window menu bar, or consult your  
Microsoft Windows User’s Guide.  
NOTE  
Getting Help from the Cabletron Systems Global Call Center  
If you need technical support related to SPECTRUM Element Manager, or if you  
have any questions, comments, or suggestions related to this manual or any of  
our products, please feel free to contact the Cabletron Systems Global Call Center  
via one of the following methods:  
By phone:  
Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 8 PM  
Eastern Standard Time at (603) 332-9400.  
By mail:  
Cabletron Systems, Inc.  
PO Box 5005  
Rochester, NH 03866-5005  
By Internet mail:  
FTP:  
ftp.ctron.com (134.141.197.25)  
anonymous  
Login  
Password  
By BBS:  
your email address  
(603) 335-3358  
Modem Setting  
8N1: 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, No parity  
For additional information about Cabletron Systems products, visit our  
World Wide Web site: http://www.cabletron.com/. For technical support,  
select Service and Support.  
Getting Help  
1-5  
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Introduction  
Firmware Versions Supported  
SPECTRUM Element Manager support for the 9A128-01 module has been tested  
against firmware versions up to 2.10.13. If you have an earlier version of firmware  
and experience problems, contact Cabletron Systems Global Call Center for  
upgrade information.  
As a general rule, firmware versions for new products are liable to change rapidly; contact  
Cabletron Systems Global Call Center for upgrade information for the latest customer  
release of firmware.  
NOTE  
1-6  
Firmware Versions Supported  
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Chapter 2  
The 9A128-01 Module View  
Information displayed in the Module View window; the Chassis Manager window; hub management  
functions  
The 9A128-01 Module View window is the main screen that immediately informs  
you of the current configuration of your 9A128-01 via a graphical display of the  
two bridge ports and the FDDI A and B ports which provide connectivity to the  
FNB backplane. (The Module View does not currently provide a display which  
reflects the status of the front panel ATM ports.) The Module View window serves  
as a single point of access to all other 9A128-01 windows and screens, which are  
discussed at length in the following chapters.  
To access the 9A128-01 Module View window, you can either double-click on the  
appropriate device icon (as illustrated in Figure 2-1, below), or use the following  
menu or toolbar options:  
Figure 2-1. 9A128-01 Icon  
1. Using the mouse, click on the 9A128-01 icon to be monitored.The icon will be  
highlighted. (Note that all MMAC-Plus devices share an icon.)  
2. Select Manage —> Node from the primary window menu bar, or select  
from the toolbar; the Module View window will appear.  
To model your 9A128-01 ATM Access Module as an individual device, you must select  
Chassis Manager mode from the window that appears when you launch the icon. Refer to  
NOTE  
your Using MMAC-Plus Remote Management Guide for information on how to  
access the module view from the MMAC-Plus Chassis View.  
2-1  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Viewing Module Information  
The 9A128-01 Module View window (Figure 2-2) provides a graphic  
representation of the 9A128-01, including a color-coded port display which  
immediately informs you of the current configuration and status of each port.  
FDDI Port Status:  
Ports 1 and 2 are the A  
and B port connections  
to the FNB FDDI  
backplane.  
Bridge Port Status:  
Port 1 = FDDI Backplane interface  
Port 2 = Front Panel ATM interface  
Figure 2-2. 9A128-01 Module View Window  
By clicking in designated areas of the device graphical display (as detailed later in  
this chapter), or by using the menu bar at the top of the Module View window,  
you can access all of the menus that lead to more detailed device and port  
information.  
When you move the mouse cursor over a management “hot spot,” the cursor icon will  
change into a hand symbol  
up a management option.  
to indicate that clicking in the current location will bring  
TIP  
Front Panel Information  
In addition to the main interface display, the Module View window provides the  
following device information:  
2-2  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
IP  
The Module View window title displays the device’s IP (Internet Protocol)  
Address; this will be the IP address you have used to create the 9A128-01 module  
in the Chassis Setup window, or the IP address used to create the device icon. IP  
addresses are assigned via Local Management, and cannot be changed via  
SPECTRUM Element Manager. Note that although each interface on the 9A128-01  
module has its own MAC, or physical, address, only a single IP address is  
assigned.  
Connection Status  
This color-coded area indicates the current state of communication between  
SPECTRUM Element Manager and the 9A128-01.  
Green indicates the 9A128-01 is responding to device polls (valid connection).  
Magenta indicates that the 9A128-01 is in a temporary stand-by mode while it  
responds to a physical change in the hub (a board is inserted or removed or a  
board’s FNB connection has been reconfigured); note that board and port  
menus are inactive during this stand-by state.  
Blue indicates an unknown contact status – polling has not yet been  
established with the 9A128-01.  
Red indicates the 9A128-01 is not responding to device polls (device is off line,  
or device polling has failed across the network for some other reason).  
UpTime  
The amount of time, in a days hh:mm:ss format, that the 9A128-01 has been  
running since the last start-up.  
Port Status  
Indicates the Port Status display selection currently in effect for the FDDI port  
display. The default port status view is connection status; if you have not changed  
the port status selection since launching the Module View window, this field will  
display Default. For more information about changing the port status display, see  
MAC  
The physical layer address assigned to the interface through which SPECTRUM  
Element Manager is communicating with the device. Note that each interface on  
the 9A128-01 module has its own MAC address; these addresses are hard-coded  
in the device, and are not configurable.  
Boot Prom  
The revision of BOOT PROM installed in the 9A128-01.  
Firmware  
The revision of device firmware stored in the 9A128-01’s FLASH PROMs.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Time  
The current time, in a 24-hour hh:mm:ss format, set in the 9A128-01’s internal  
clock.  
Date  
The current date, in an mm/dd/yy format, set in the 9A128-01’s internal clock.  
You can set the date and time by using the Edit Device Date and Edit Device Time  
options on the Device menu; see Setting Device Date and Time, page 2-20, for details.  
NOTE  
Menu Structure  
By clicking on various areas of the 9A128-01 Module View display, you can access  
menus which provide access to FDDI, ATM, MMAC-Plus chassis and bridging  
configuration and performance information, as well as utility applications and  
general device management functions. The following illustration displays the  
menu structure and indicates how to use the mouse to access the various menus:  
2-4  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Figure 2-3. 9A128-01 Module View Menu Structure  
The Device Menu  
From the Device Menu at the Module View window menu bar, you can access the  
following selections:  
Device Type..., which displays a window containing a description of the  
device being modeled: 9A128-01, ATM/FDDI Bridge, with 1 ATM and 1 FNB  
connection  
Edit Device Time and Edit Device Date, which allow you to set the 9A128-01’s  
internal clock.  
System Group..., which allows you to manage the 9A128-01 via SNMP MIB II.  
Refer to the Generic SNMP User’s Guide for further information.  
I/F Summary, which lets you view statistics (displayed both graphically and  
numerically) for the traffic processed by each network interface on your  
device, and provides access to some SNMP MIB-II windows. See Viewing I/F  
Summary Information, page 2-14, for details.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
ATM Connections, which launches the window that allows you to view and  
configure Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) for the 9A128-01’s front panel  
ATM interfaces. For more information about configuring PVCs, see Chapter 3,  
ATM Configuration.  
The next four menu options will appear depending on the configuration and services  
available in the MMAC-Plus chassis that this module is inserted within; for more  
information on management operations directly related to the monitoring and control of  
the MMAC-Plus Chassis, see the Cabletron Systems Using MMAC-Plus Remote  
Management Guide.  
NOTE  
Power Supply... which launches the Power Supply window that displays  
information about each power supply and it’s associated cooling fan in your  
MMAC-Plus chassis. You can also control the operation of the cooling fan from  
this window; see the Cabletron Systems Using MMAC-Plus Remote  
Management Guide for more information.  
Chassis Power Detail... which launches the Chassis Power Detail window that  
displays information about the power subsystem of the MMAC-Plus chassis;  
see the Cabletron Systems Using MMAC-Plus Remote Management Guide for  
more information.  
Environment View... which launches the Environment View window which  
provides information of the environmental conditions associated with the  
modules in the MMAC-Plus chassis; see the Cabletron Systems Using  
MMAC-Plus Remote Management Guide for more information.  
FNB Configuration (Non-Mux)... which launches the FNB Configuration  
window that displays and allows you to configure your FNB’s current  
configuration; see the Cabletron Systems Using MMAC-Plus Remote  
Management Guide for more information.  
Bridge Status..., which opens a window that provides an overview of bridging  
information for each port, and allows you to access all other bridge-related  
options. Refer to Chapter 5, Bridging, for more information.  
Find Source Address..., which opens a window that allows you to search the  
9A128-01’s 802.1d Filtering Database to determine which bridging interface a  
specified source MAC address is communicating through. If the MAC address  
is detected as communicating through the bridge, the port display will flash to  
indicate the bridge interface of interest.  
Exit, which closes the 9A128-01 Module View window.  
The Port Status Menu  
The Port Status menu allows you to select the status information that will be  
displayed in the Bridge and FDDI port text boxes in the Module View window:  
Bridge allows you to select one of five status type displays for the bridge ports:  
I/F Mapping, I/F Speed, I/F Type, Bridge Port State, or Bridge Mapping.  
2-6  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Connect will display the each FDDI port’s connection status.  
LER Estimate will display the cumulative long term average of the bit error  
rate for each FDDI port, which represents the quality of the physical link.  
When you select the LER Estimate port status display, this port status display will be  
reflected in both the bridge and FDDI ports. The FDDI ports will display the LER  
Estimate while the bridge ports will display the Percent Errors.  
NOTE  
For more information on the bridge and FDDI port display options available via  
this menu, see Selecting a Port Status View, page 2-9.  
The FDDI Menu  
The FDDI menu provides the following options, which allow you to monitor and  
manage the 9A128-01’s connection to the FNB FDDI backplane:  
Configuration  
Connection Policy  
Station List  
Performance  
Refer to Chapter 4, FDDI Management, for details on these options.  
The Utilities Menu  
The Utilities menu provides access to the MIBTools utility, which provides direct  
access to the 9A128-01’s MIB information. The MIB Tools selection is also  
available from the Tools menu at the top of the SPECTRUM Element Manager  
primary window; refer to your Tools Guide, included in this package, for a  
thorough explanation of the MIB Tools utility.  
The Help Menu  
The Help Menu has three selections:  
MIBs Supported, which brings up the Chassis Manager window, described on  
Chassis Manager Help, which brings up a help window with information  
specifically related to using the Chassis Manager and Module View windows.  
About Chassis Manager..., which brings up a version window for the Chassis  
Manager application in use.  
The Board Menus  
The Board menu labeled Bridge provides access to most of the available  
bridging-related selections, which are also available from the Bridge Status  
window:  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Module Type..., which brings up a window containing a description of the  
9A128-01 board; see Viewing Hardware Types, page 2-13.  
Performance Graph..., which visually displays performance between all  
bridging ports on the 9A128-01; see Chapter 5, Bridging.  
Spanning Tree..., which allows you to set bridge parameters when it is  
operating using the Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) – the method that bridges  
use to decide the controlling (root) bridge when two or more bridges are  
installed in parallel; see Chapter 5, Bridging, for more information.  
Filtering Database..., which allows you to monitor and manage bridge  
forwarding and filtering across each port of the 9A128-01; see Chapter 5 for  
details.  
Duplex Modes..., which allows you to set Duplex Mode operation for  
standard Ethernet interfaces on your 2E42; see Chapter 5, Bridging.  
Enable/Disable Bridge, which enables or disables bridging across the entire  
9A128-01.  
The menu accessed from the FNB label provides only the Module Type option.  
The Port Menus  
The port menu selections vary according to the port’s functionality. The menu for  
the two bridging ports offers the following selections:  
Performance Graph..., which brings up windows that visually display  
bridging performance at the selected port; see Chapter 5, Bridging, for details.  
Source Addressing..., which launches a window displaying the MAC  
addresses of all devices communicating through the selected bridging  
interface; see Chapter 5, Bridging, for details.  
I/F Statistics..., which launches a Statistics window, which displays interface  
statistics for the port; see Chapter 5, Bridging for details.  
Enable/Disable, which administratively turns the selected bridging port on or  
off; see Enabling and Disabling Ports, page 2-21, for more information.  
The FDDI port menus offer only two selections: Enable Port, and Disable Port.  
Note that you can enable and disable the A and B ports separately, if you wish;  
disabling only one of the pair, however, will cause a wrap condition.  
Port Status Displays  
When you open the Module View, each bridge port on the 9A128-01 will by  
default display the bridge port state (defined below); to change the bridge port  
status display, select the Bridge option on the Port Status menu, and drag right to  
select one of the available bridge port status display options; as described below.  
2-8  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Initially, each FDDI port on the 9A128-01 will by default display its current  
connection status (defined below); to change this status display, select the  
Connect or LER Estimate option on the Port Status menu, as described in the  
following section. Note that the status display of the bridge ports will remain the  
same when you change the port status display of the FDDI Ports to Connect;  
however, when you change the port status display of the FDDI Ports to LER  
Estimate, the bridge ports will display Percent Errors.  
Selecting a Port Status View  
To change the status view of your ports:  
1. Click on Port Status on the menu bar at the top of the Module View window; a  
menu will appear.  
2. Drag down to Bridge, and to the right to select the bridge port status  
information you want to display. The bridge port text boxes will display the  
appropriate status information.  
and/or  
Drag down to select the FDDI port status information you want to display. The  
FDDI port text boxes will display the appropriate status information.  
Bridge Port Status Displays  
You can choose from 5 different bridge port display options:  
I/F Mapping  
If you choose the I/F Mapping mode, the interface boxes will display the interface  
number (ifIndex) associated with each bridge port on the 9A128-01 module.  
I/F Speed  
If you choose the I/F Speed mode, the interface boxes will display the bandwidth  
of each individual bridge port on the 9A128-01 module; e.g., 100 Mbits/sec.  
I/F Type  
If you choose the I/F Type mode, the interface boxes will display the interface  
type of each bridge port on the 9A128-01 module; e.g., Eth (Ethernet).  
The Bridge Port State and Bridge Mapping status modes will not be supported for devices  
which have been configured for SecureFast switching.  
NOTE  
Firmware versions 2.10.13 and earlier do not support the ability to select SecureFast  
switching; if you have a later version of firmware, check your hardware manual to see if  
your version of firmware supports this feature. The toggle from traditional bridging to  
SecureFast switching is performed via Local Management; see your Local Management  
documentation for details.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Bridge Port State  
If you choose the Bridge Port State mode, a bridge port is considered:  
FWD (Forwarding) if the port is on-line and forwarding packets across the  
9A128-01 from one network segment to another.  
DIS (Disabled) if bridging at the port has been disabled by management; no  
traffic can be received or forwarded on this port, including configuration  
information for the bridged topology.  
LRN (Learning) if the Forwarding database is being created, or the Spanning  
Tree Algorithm is being executed because of a network topology change. The  
port is monitoring network traffic, and learning network addresses.  
LIS (Listening) if the port is not adding information to the filtering database. It  
is monitoring Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) traffic while preparing to  
move to the forwarding state.  
BLK (Blocking) if the port is on-line, but filtering traffic from going across the  
9A128-01 from one network segment to another. Bridge topology information  
will be forwarded by the port.  
BRK (Broken) if the physical interface has malfunctioned.  
Bridge Mapping  
If you have selected the Bridge Mapping status mode, the port display will alter  
to show the physical interface index (ifIndex) associated with each front panel  
bridge port.  
Bridge Port Status Color Codes  
The Bridge Port Status Display options will use the following color code,  
regardless of which bridge port status option is selected: green = forwarding,  
blue = disabled, magenta = learning and listening, orange = blocking, and  
red = broken.  
The FDDI Port Status Displays  
When you open the Module View, each FDDI port on the 9A128-01 will by default  
display its current connection status (defined below); to change this status  
display, select one of the options on the Port Status menu, as described in the  
previous section.  
2-10  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
FDDI port status view options are:  
Connection State  
The Connection State port display form indicates the port’s connection status:  
CON (connecting): the port is trying to establish a link, but has not yet been  
successful. Ports which are not connected and which have not been disabled  
by management will display this status.  
ACT (active): the port has been enabled by management and has successfully  
established a link.  
SBY (standby): the port has a physical link, but the SMT Connection Policy is  
prohibiting a logical connection to the ring because the attempted connection  
is illegal. FDDI protocol always forbids connecting two master ports; all other  
connections are theoretically legal, although some are not desirable. You can  
view the SMT Connection Policy by selecting the SMT Connection Policy  
option from the FDDI menu; for more information, see Chapter 4, FDDI  
Management.  
DIS (disabled): the port has been disabled by management; note that this  
status does not indicate whether or not there is a physical link connected to the  
port.  
LER Estimate  
The Link Error Rate (LER) Estimate port display form displays a cumulative long  
term average of the bit error rate, which represents the quality of the physical link.  
It is computed when the port is connected and every 10 seconds thereafter. The  
-4  
-15  
value of the LER Estimate can range from 10 to 10 , but it is always displayed  
as the absolute value of the exponent; for example, if the port’s LER Estimate is  
-5  
computed to be 10 , the value displayed in the Port Status box will be 5.0, which  
represents an actual rate of 1,250 bit errors per second. The lower LER Estimate  
numbers represent the highest bit error rates, as summarized in the figure below.  
.000000125  
.00000125  
.0000125  
.000125  
.00125  
Bit Errors  
.0125  
per  
.125  
1.25  
Second  
12.5  
125  
1250  
12500  
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15  
Reported LER Estimate  
Figure 2-4. LER Estimate Values  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
The bridge ports will display Percent Errors when the LER Estimate port status display  
NOTE  
is selected. Percent Errors are calculated by the following formula: (ErrorPkts  
/(ErrorPkts+ValidPkts))*100, where Error Pkts = IfInErrors + IfOutErrors +  
ifInDiscards + ifOutDiscards + ifInUnknownProtos and  
ValidPkts = ifInUcastPkts + ifOutUcastPkts + ifInNUcastPkts + ifOutNUcastPkts.  
FDDI Port Status Color Codes  
FDDI port status color codes always reflect the port’s connection status, even  
when the LER Estimate port display form has been selected. Under that color  
coding scheme:  
CON (Connecting) = yellow  
ACT (Active) = green  
SBY (Standby) = red  
DIS (Disabled) = red  
The Chassis Manager Window  
Like most networking devices, Cabletron’s devices draw their functionality from  
a collection of proprietary MIBs and IETF RFCs. In addition, Cabletron’s newer  
intelligent devices – like the 9A128-01 – organize their MIB data into a series of  
“components.” A MIB component is a logical grouping of MIB data, and each  
group controls a defined set of objects. For example, 9A128-01 bridging  
information is organized into its own component; FDDI and ATM information  
resides in two separate components, one for each of the 9A128-01’s interfaces.  
Note, too, that there is no one-to-one correspondence between MIBs and MIB  
components; a single MIB component might contain objects from several different  
proprietary MIBs and RFCs.  
The Chassis Manager window, Figure 2-5, is a read-only window that displays  
the MIBs and the MIB components — and, therefore, the functionality —  
supported by the currently monitored device.  
To view the Chassis Manager window:  
1. Click on Help on the far right of the menu bar at the top of the chassis  
manager window.  
2. Drag down to MIBs Supported, and release.  
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Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
The MIBs which provide the  
9A128-01’s functionality —  
both proprietary MIBs and IETF  
RFCs — are listed here  
MIB Components are listed here;  
remember, there’s no one-to-one  
correspondence between MIBs  
and MIB Components  
Figure 2-5. Chassis Manager Window  
Viewing Hardware Types  
In addition to the graphical displays described above, menu options provide  
specific information about the physical characteristics of ports in the 9A128-01, as  
well as information about the 9A128-01 module itself.  
Device Type  
Choosing the Device Type option on the Device menu brings up a window that  
describes the management device being modeled:  
Figure 2-6. Device Type Window  
Module Type  
From the Board menus labeled Bridge and FNB on the 9A128-01 Module View  
window, you can view a description of the Module type: for the 9A128-01, the  
same information provided in the Device Type window.  
To view the Module type:  
1. Click on the Bridge or FNB Board label. The Board menu will appear.  
2. Drag down to Module Type.... The Module Type text box, Figure 2-7, will  
appear.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Figure 2-7. Module Type Window  
Viewing I/F Summary Information  
The I/F Summary option available from the Device menu lets you view statistics  
(displayed both graphically and numerically) for the traffic processed by each  
network interface on your device. The window also provides access to a detailed  
statistics window that breaks down Transmit and Receive traffic for each  
interface.  
To access the I/F Summary window:  
1. From the Module View, click on the Device option from the menu bar.  
2. Drag down to I/F Summary and release. The I/F Summary window,  
Figure 2-8, will appear.  
Figure 2-8. I/F Summary Window  
The I/F Summary window provides a variety of descriptive information about  
each interface on your device, as well as a bar graph and statistics which display  
each interface’s performance.  
The following descriptive information is provided for each interface.  
2-14  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
UpTime  
The UpTime field lists the amount of time, in a days, hh:mm:ss format, that the  
device has been running since the last start-up.  
Index  
The index value assigned to each interface on the device.  
Type  
The type of the interface, distinguished by the physical/link protocol(s) running  
immediately below the network layer. Possible values are sdlc (for the  
MMAC-Plus SMB 1 proprietary management backplane), ethernet-csmacd (for  
the MMAC-Plus SMB 10 ethernet management backplane), fddi (for the FDDI  
FNB interface), and atm (for the front panel ATM connection).  
Description  
A text description of the interface: Ctron SMB (for the MMAC-Plus SMB 1 and  
SMB 10 management backplane interfaces); FDDI (for the FDDI FNB interface),  
or ATM.  
P. Sta  
Displays the current physical status — or operational state — of the interface:  
Online or Offline.  
L. Sta  
Displays the current logical status — or administrative state — of the interface:  
Up or Down.  
Interface Performance Statistics/Bar Graphs  
The statistical values and accompanying bar graphs to the right of the interface  
description fields provide a quick summary of interface performance. You can  
select the statistical value you want to display and the units in which you want  
those values displayed by using the two menu buttons directly above the graphs,  
as follows:  
1. Click on the right menu button to select the unit in which you wish to display  
the selected statistic:  
,
, or  
.
2. Once you have selected the base units, click on the left menu button to  
specify the statistic you’d like to display. (The options from this menu will vary  
depending on the base units you have selected.)  
After you select a new display mode, the statistics and graphs will refresh to  
reflect the current choice, as described below.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Bar graphs are only available when Load is the selected base unit.  
NOTE  
Raw Counts  
The total count of network traffic received or transmitted on the indicated  
interface since device counters were last reset. Raw counts are provided for the  
following parameters.  
In Octets  
Octets received on the interface, including framing  
characters.  
In Packets  
In Discards  
Packets (both unicast and non-unicast) received by the  
device interface and delivered to a higher-layer protocol.  
Packets received by the device interface that were  
discarded even though no errors prevented them from  
being delivered to a higher layer protocol (e.g., to free up  
buffer space in the device).  
In Errors  
Packets received by the device interface that contained  
errors that prevented them from being delivered to a  
higher-layer protocol.  
In Unknown  
Packets received by the device interface that were  
discarded because of an unknown or unsupported  
protocol.  
Out Octets  
Octets transmitted by the interface, including framing  
characters.  
Out Packets  
Packets transmitted, at the request of a higher level  
protocol, by the device interface to a subnetwork address  
(both unicast and non-unicast).  
Out Discards  
Outbound packets that were discarded by the device  
interface even though no errors were detected that  
would prevent them from being transmitted. A possible  
reason for discard would be to free up buffer space in the  
device.  
Out Errors  
Outbound packets that could not be transmitted by the  
device interface because they contained errors.  
Load  
The number of bytes processed by the indicated interface during the last poll  
interval in comparison to the theoretical maximum load for that interface type  
(1 Mbps for the SMB 1 management backplane; 10 Mbps for the SMB 10 ethernet  
2-16  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
management backplane; 100 Mbps for FDDI; or 155 Mbps for ATM). Load is  
further defined by the following parameters.  
In Octets  
The number of bytes received by this interface, expressed  
as a percentage of the theoretical maximum load.  
Out Octets  
The number of bytes transmitted by this interface,  
expressed as a percentage of the theoretical maximum  
load.  
Rate  
The count for the selected statistic during the last poll interval. The available  
parameters are the same as those provided for Raw Counts. Refer to the Raw  
Counts section, above, for a complete description of each parameter.  
Interface Statistics Window  
The Interface Statistics window (Figure 2-9) provides MIB-II interface statistical  
information — including counts for both transmit and receive packets, and error  
and buffering information — for each available port interface. Color-coded pie  
charts also let you graphically view statistics for both received and transmitted  
Unicast, Non-Unicast, Discarded, and Error packets.  
To open the Interface Statistics window:  
1. In the I/F Summary window, click to select the interface for which you’d like to  
view more detailed statistics.  
2. Click on  
appear.  
. The appropriate Interface Statistics window, Figure 2-9, will  
Figure 2-9. Interface Statistics Window  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Three informational fields appear in the upper portion of the window:  
Description  
Displays the interface description for the currently selected port: Ctron SMB 1,  
Ctron SMB 10, FDDI, or ATM.  
Address  
Displays the MAC (physical) address of the selected port.  
Type  
Displays the interface type of the selected port: sdlc (for SMB 1), ethernet-csmacd  
(for SMB 2), fddi, or atm.  
The lower portion of the window provides the following transmit and receive  
statistics; note that the first four statistics are also graphically displayed in the pie  
charts.  
Unicast  
Displays the number of packets transmitted to or received from this interface that  
had a single, unique destination address. These statistics are displayed in the pie  
chart, color-coded green.  
Non-Unicast  
Displays the number of packets transmitted to or received from this interface that  
had a destination address that is recognized by more than one device on the  
network segment. The non-unicast field includes a count of broadcast packets —  
those that are recognized by all devices on a segment. These statistics are  
displayed in the pie chart, color-coded dark blue.  
Discarded  
Displays the number of packets which were discarded even though they  
contained no errors that would prevent transmission. Good packets are typically  
discarded to free up buffer space when the network becomes very busy; if this is  
occurring routinely, it usually means that network traffic is overwhelming the  
device. To solve this problem, you may need to re-configure your bridging  
parameters, or perhaps re-configure you network to add additional bridges or  
switches. Consult the Cabletron Systems Network Troubleshooting Guide for  
more information.  
These statistics are displayed in the pie chart, color-coded magenta.  
Error  
Displays the number of packets received or transmitted that contained errors.  
These statistics are displayed in the pie chart, color-coded red.  
Unknown Protocol (Received only)  
Displays the number of packets received which were discarded because they were  
created under an unknown or unsupported protocol.  
2-18  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Packets Received (Received only)  
Displays the number of packets received by the selected interface.  
Transmit Queue Size (Transmit only)  
Displays the number of packets currently queued for transmission from this  
interface. The amount of device memory devoted to buffer space, and the traffic  
level on the target network, determine how large the output packet queue can  
grow before the 9A128-01 will begin to discard packets.  
Packets Transmitted (Transmit only)  
Displays the number of packets transmitted by this interface.  
Making Sense of Interface Statistics  
The statistics available in this window can give you an idea of how an interface is  
performing; by using the statistics in a few simple calculations, it’s also possible to  
get a sense of an interface’s activity level:  
To calculate the percentage of input errors:  
Received Errors /Packets Received  
To calculate the percentage of output errors:  
Transmitted Errors /Packets Transmitted  
To calculate the total number of inbound and outbound discards:  
Received Discards + Transmitted Discards  
To calculate the percentage of inbound packets that were discarded:  
Received Discards /Packets Received  
To calculate the percentage of outbound packets that were discarded:  
Transmit Discards /Packets Transmitted  
Using the Find Source Address Feature  
You can select the Find Source Address option to discover which bridging  
interface a specified source MAC address is communicating through. When you  
select the Find Source Address option, a search is made of the 802.1d Bridge  
Filtering Database to discover the bridge interface associated with the address  
that you specify. If the search is successful, the corresponding interface will flash  
in the Module View window. For more information on the Filtering Database and  
bridging in general, refer to Chapter 5, Bridging.  
Use the Find Source Address option as follows:  
1. Click to display the Device menu.  
Viewing Module Information  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
2. Drag to Find Source Address.... The following window will appear.  
Figure 2-10. Find Source Address Window  
3. In the text field in the middle of the window, enter a valid MAC address in Hex  
format and then click  
.
If the address is found in the 802.1d Bridge Filtering Database, the port through  
which the address is communicating will flash in the front panel Module View  
port display.  
If the address is not found in the Filtering Database, a separate window will  
appear with a “Can’t Find Source Address” message.  
Managing the Hub  
In addition to the performance and configuration information described in the  
preceding sections, the Module View also provides you with the tools you need to  
configure your hub and keep it operating properly. Hub management functions  
include setting device date and time and enabling and disabling ports.  
Setting the Device Date and Time  
From the Device menu you can select the Edit Device Time and Edit Device Date  
options to change the date and time stored in the device’s internal clock.  
To edit the device time:  
1. Click on Device on the Module View window menu bar to access the Device  
menu; drag down to Edit Device Time, and release.  
2. The Device Time change window, Figure 2-11, will appear.  
2-20  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
Figure 2-11. New Time Window  
3. Enter the new time in a 24-hour hh:mm:ss format, either by highlighting the  
field you wish to change and using the up and down arrow buttons, or by  
simply entering the new value in the appropriate field.  
4. Click on  
to save your changes, or on  
to cancel.  
To edit the device date:  
1. Click on Device on the Module View window menu bar to access the Device  
menu; drag down to Edit Device Date, and release.  
2. The Device Date change window, Figure 2-12, will appear.  
Figure 2-12. New Date Window  
3. Enter the new date in a mm/dd/yy format, either by highlighting the field you  
wish to change and using the up and down arrow buttons, or by simply  
entering the new value in the appropriate field.  
4. Click on  
to save your changes, or on  
to cancel.  
Enabling and Disabling Ports  
Bridge Ports  
When you disable a bridge port, you disconnect that port’s network from the  
bridge entirely. The port does not forward any packets, nor does it participate in  
Spanning Tree operations. Nodes connected to the network can still communicate  
with each other, but they can’t communicate with the bridge or with other  
Managing the Hub  
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The 9A128-01 Module View  
networks connected to the bridge. When you enable a port, the port moves from  
the Disabled state through the Learning and Listening states to the Forwarding  
state; bridge port state color codes will change accordingly.  
To enable or disable a bridge port:  
1. Click on the appropriate Bridge Port to display the bridge port menu.  
2. Drag down to Enable to enable the selected port, or to Disable to disable the  
port.  
For more information about bridging functions and how to determine the current state of  
each bridge port, see Chapter 5, Bridging.  
NOTE  
Module Ports  
From the port menus on the two FDDI ports in the 9A128-01 Module View  
window, you can enable and disable either port.  
To enable or disable a port:  
1. Click on the desired Port button. The Port menu will appear.  
2. Click on Enable Port to enable the port, or Disable Port to disable the port.  
Your port will now be enabled or disabled as desired.  
You can separately enable and disable the A and B ports which provide the backplane FNB  
connection; however, disabling only one of this port pair will cause a wrap condition on  
the backplane ring.  
NOTE  
2-22  
Managing the Hub  
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Chapter 3  
ATM Configuration  
Viewing connection data; configuring Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs); adding and deleting  
connection entries  
The ATM interfaces provided by the 9A128-01 module provides the connectivity  
that allows you to merge ATM network segments with traditional LAN  
technologies via the FDDI FNB backplane. Current versions of 9A128-01 firmware  
use 802.3 VC-based multiplexing for bridging protocols to move PVC traffic  
between the ATM front panel connection and the switching backplane, and  
support ATM Forum LAN Emulation; future versions will add support for  
Cabletron’s SecureFast Switching.  
An ATM network uses two types of virtual channels, or circuits: Switched Virtual  
Circuits, or SVCs, and Permanent Virtual Circuits, or PVCs. SVCs are created and  
dismantled dynamically on an as-needed basis, and require no management  
definition; PVCs, however, must be manually configured. The Current ATM  
Connections window provides the means for accomplishing these configurations.  
For current firmware versions available for the 9A128-01, you can only view current  
connections; you will not be allowed to add new connections or modify existing  
NOTE  
connections.  
Accessing the ATM Connections Window  
To access the ATM Connections window from the Module View:  
1. Click on Device on the Module View menu bar to access the Device menu.  
2. Drag down to ATM Connections..., and release. The Current ATM  
Connections window, Figure 3-1, will appear.  
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ATM Configuration  
Due to a firmware  
anomaly,  
Connection Data will  
not be available in  
this window for the  
9A128. Also, you will  
not be able to set any  
new connections or  
modify any existing  
connections from this  
window.  
Figure 3-1. The Current ATM Connections Window  
The Current ATM Connections window provides the following information about  
the device’s ATM connections:  
Connection Data  
The Connection Data fields provide the following information about each ATM  
interface available on the device:  
I/F  
Displays the index number assigned to each ATM  
interface present on the selected module. The 9A128-01  
has a single ATM interface, indexed 4.  
The 9A128-01 supports a total of four interfaces. For more detailed information about the  
interfaces present on each module and their index number assignment, see Viewing I/F  
Summary Information in Chapter 2.  
TIP  
Maximum Connections Displays the maximum number of connections allowed  
by current device firmware.  
Current Configured  
Displays the number of Permanent Virtual Circuits, or  
PVCs, currently configured.  
Connection Data will not be available for the 9A128-01’s ATM interface.  
NOTE  
3-2  
Accessing the ATM Connections Window  
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ATM Configuration  
Settings  
The Settings portion of the window contains a list box which displays information  
about each of the currently configured PVCs, as well as the fields used to  
configure new connections:  
I/F  
The device interface on which the PVC was configured.  
VPI  
Displays the Virtual Path Identifier assigned to the  
connection; current versions of 9A128-01firmware allow  
values from 0 - 3. Virtual Path Identifiers are used to  
group virtual connections, allowing for channel trunking  
between ATM switches. Each VPI can be configured to  
carry many different channels (designated by VCIs)  
between two points.  
VCI  
Displays the Virtual Channel Identifier assigned to the  
connection; allowable values are 0 - 1023 for each VPI.  
Each assigned VCI must be unique within its defined  
VPI: for example, you can assign a VCI of 14 as many as  
four times: once with a VPI of 0, once with a VPI of 1, and  
so on. Remember, it is the combined VPI and VCI  
designations assigned to a channel that creates the  
grouping of virtual connections.  
Encapsulation Type  
Displays the method used to encapsulate LAN packets  
on the selected circuit. Current versions of 9A128-01  
firmware use 802.3 VC-based multiplexing for bridging  
protocols (designated VC MUX 802.3 Bridged); future  
versions will add support for ATM Forum LAN  
Emulation and Cabletron’s SecureFast Switching. You  
may also see some connections assigned a type of  
“other”; these are default connections that cannot be  
modified or deleted.  
Status  
Displays the current administrative status of the  
connection: enabled or disabled. In current versions of  
firmware, all connections are enabled by default, and  
cannot be disabled.  
UpTime  
The length of time the selected connection has been  
enabled.  
You can only view current connections; you will not be allowed to add new connections,  
delete existing connections, or modify existing connections, on 9A128-01’s with the  
firmware currently supported.  
NOTE  
Accessing the ATM Connections Window  
3-3  
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ATM Configuration  
Selecting the Add button either adds a new connection or modifies an existing  
one, using the parameters entered in the fields below the list box. A confirmation  
window will appear for both additions and modifications.  
Selecting the Delete button deletes the selected connection; a confirmation  
window requires that you confirm the deletion.  
Selecting Refresh refreshes the connection information displayed in the window.  
Configuring Connections  
Adding a New Connection  
To configure new Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs), enter the following  
information in the text fields which appear just below the settings list box:  
Current versions of 9A128-01 firmware do not support the ability to add new  
connections, delete existing connections, or modify existing connections.  
NOTE  
1. In the I/F text box, click on the down-arrow to the right of the text field, and  
drag down to select the interface for which you wish to configure a connection.  
All available ATM interfaces will be listed in this menu: index 4 for the  
9A128-01.  
2. In the VPI text box, enter the Virtual Path Identifier you wish to assign to this  
connection. Allowable values are 0 to 3; remember, the VPI you assign will be  
used to group virtual connections, allowing for channel trunking between ATM  
switches.  
3. In the VCI text box, enter the Virtual Channel Identifier you wish to assign to  
this connection. Allowable values are 0 to 1023 for each VPI. For example,  
you could assign the same channel identifier — say, 25 — as many as four  
times: once with a VPI of 0, once with a VPI of 1, and so on. Again, remember  
that it is the combination of VPI and VCI that will be used to direct cells  
through the intermediate switches between the source and destination.  
3-4  
Configuring Connections  
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ATM Configuration  
4. In the Encapsulation Type field, click on the down arrow located to the right  
of the field, and drag down to select the desired encapsulation type. Current  
versions of 9A128-01 firmware use 802.3 VC-based multiplexing for bridging  
protocols (designated VC MUX 802.3 Bridged); future versions will add  
support for additional encapsulation methods.  
Selecting any of the other encapsulation types listed in the field’s menu will cause a “Set  
Failed” error when you attempt to add the new connection.  
TIP  
5. Click  
to add the new permanent circuit to the ATM interface. The  
circuit is automatically enabled, and will remain in place until it is manually  
removed.  
Deleting a Connection  
To delete an existing PVC:  
1. In the connections list box, click to select the connection you wish to delete.  
2. Click on . A confirmation window will appear, listing the parameters  
assigned to the connection and asking you to verify that you wish to delete it.  
Click on OK to proceed with the deletion, or on Cancel to cancel.  
Configuring Connections  
3-5  
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ATM Configuration  
3-6  
Configuring Connections  
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Chapter 4  
FDDI Management  
Configuration; connection policy; station list; and performance  
The FDDI menu lets you access windows to view FDDI configuration, connection  
policy, station list, and performance with respect to the single Station  
Management (SMT) entity which provides each device’s connectivity to the FDDI  
FNB backplane.  
SMT provides the system management services for the FDDI protocols, including  
connection management, node configuration, error recovery, statistics collection,  
and management frame encoding. SMT is comprised of various subcomponent  
functions, including Connection Management (CMT) and Ring Management  
(RMT).  
The 9A128-01 is also encoded with MAC (Media Access Control) protocol layer  
information — which you can assign to either FNB 1 or FNB 2. The primary  
function of the MAC layer is to deliver frames for stations attached to the ring;  
this involves transmitting frames onto the ring, removing frames from the ring,  
and repeating frames. Other services provided by the MAC component include  
providing attached stations with access to the ring in a fair and structured  
manner, providing address recognition for incoming frames, and generating and  
verifying frame check sequences. Each ring must have at least one MAC  
associated with it for correct operation.  
The windows that provide information about the FDDI component of the  
9A128-01 module are:  
Configuration — This window displays the current configuration of the  
selected module with respect to its SMT entity, and shows the status of the  
backplane ring to which it is connected.  
Connection Policy — This window shows the types of connections between  
the four FDDI PHY (port) types — A, B, M, and S — that will be allowed by the  
SMT entity.  
4-1  
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FDDI Management  
Station List — With this window you can see the configuration of the ring on  
which the SMT entity resides, including number of nodes, node addresses  
(both Canonical and MAC), node class, and current ring topology.  
Performance — This window lets you view the number of frames transmitted  
and received on the ring as detected by the selected SMT entity, along with  
error and lost frames, and the number of ring initializations.  
To use the FDDI menu:  
1. Click on FDDI in the Module View; drag down to select SMT 1, and to the right  
to reveal the following FDDI menu (Figure 4-1).  
Figure 4-1. The FDDI Menu  
2. Drag to select the desired option.  
Configuration  
The Configuration window, Figure 4-2, informs you about the configuration of  
the selected module’s FDDI backplane connection and the operating state of the  
FDDI ring to which it is connected, and displays parameters relating to ring  
initialization.  
Figure 4-2. The Configuration Window  
4-2  
Configuration  
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FDDI Management  
MAC State  
This field indicates the current state of the selected module’s MAC component.  
(The RMT component of SMT monitors MAC operation and takes actions  
necessary to aid in achieving an operational ring.) Possible states are:  
Not Available  
There is no MAC on the FDDI ring associated with the  
SMT entity, or the selected SMT entity is not attached to  
the main ring through the backplane FNB A and B ports.  
Ring-Op  
Isolated  
The ring is functioning normally. While in this state, the  
MAC being managed is part of an operational FDDI ring.  
SMT has just initialized RMT or RMT has entered this  
state during a path test (trace) after ring beaconing; RMT  
is not aware of the ring path or state.  
Non-Op  
Detect  
The MAC being managed by the selected SMT is  
participating in ring recovery; the ring is not operational.  
The claim (beacon) process of the FDDI ring protocol has  
exceeded one second. There may be a problem on the  
ring; any duplicate address conditions are being  
detected. In this state, the ring is still alive, but no data is  
being transmitted.  
Non-Op-Dup  
Ring-Op-Dup  
The ring is not operational; the address of the MAC  
under control of the SMT entity has been found to  
duplicate that of another MAC on the ring. The duplicate  
address condition prevented ring recovery and  
initialization after a claim and beacon process. This state  
will not occur unless you are using locally-administered  
addresses, as factory-set MAC addresses are guaranteed  
to be unique.  
The ring is operational; however, the address of the MAC  
under control of the SMT entity has been found to  
duplicate that of another MAC on the ring. Corrective  
actions will be attempted before the duplicate address  
condition causes ring initialization to fail after the claim  
and beacon recovery process. Like Non-Op-Dup, this  
state will not occur unless you are using  
locally-administered addresses.  
Directed  
Trace  
The beacon process did not complete within 7 seconds.  
The selected SMT has directed the controlled MAC to  
send beacon frames to notify the other stations that a  
serious problem exists on the ring, and a Trace state is  
soon to follow.  
A problem exists on the ring which could not be  
corrected during the beaconing process, and a Trace has  
been initiated. During a Trace (or Path Test), the SMT  
sends a signal that forces its nearest upstream neighbor  
Configuration  
4-3  
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FDDI Management  
to remove from the ring and conduct a self-test. If the  
ring does not recover, each subsequent upstream station  
will be forced to remove from the ring and conduct  
self-tests until the problem has been corrected. While the  
test is being conducted, ring management re-enters the  
isolated state.  
SMT Version  
Displays the version number of the Station Management (SMT) entity. SMT  
provides the system management services for the FDDI protocols, including  
connection management, node configuration, error recovery, and management  
frame encoding. SMT frames have a version ID field that identifies the structure  
of the SMT frame Info field. The version number is included in the SMT frame so  
that a receiving station can determine whether or not its SMT version is able to  
communicate with the SMT version of another station. Knowing the version  
number allows the stations to handle version mismatches. Each FDDI station  
supports a range of SMT versions. The supported version range is identified  
within the ietf-fddi MIB by two smtTable attributes: snmpFddiSMTLoVersionId  
and snmpFddiSMTHiVersionId. If a received frame is not within the supported  
version range, the frame is discarded.  
T-Req. (Requested Target Token Rotation Time)  
The token rotation time bid made by the selected SMT entity during ring  
initialization. Each station detecting that the ring must be initialized begins a  
claim token process and issues a stream of Claim Frames, which negotiate the  
value assigned to the Target Token Rotation Time (TTRT). The information field of  
these frames contains the issuing station’s bid for the value of TTRT. Each  
claiming station inspects incoming Claim frames (from other issuing stations) and  
either continues its own bid (and removes the competing Claim Frame from the  
ring) or defers (halts transmission of its own bid and repeats the competing bid)  
according to the following hierarchy of arbitration:  
A Claim Frame with the lowest TTRT bid has precedence.  
If the values of TTRT are equal, the frame with the longest source address  
(48 vs. 16 bits) has precedence.  
If both TTRT value and source address length are equal, the frame with the  
highest address has precedence.  
The 9A128-01 is shipped with a T-Req = 83 msec (earlier versions of firmware) or  
6 msec (later firmware versions). T-Req is stored within the MIB in units of  
nanoseconds (one billionth of a second) rather than milliseconds (one thousandth  
of a second); SPECTRUM Element Manager converts nanoseconds to  
milliseconds for display purposes. You can use any SNMP Set Request tool to edit  
the T-Req value; just remember that you must enter your value in nanoseconds,  
rather than milliseconds.  
T-Neg. (Negotiated)  
The winning time negotiated in the ring initialization sequence.  
4-4  
Configuration  
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FDDI Management  
Concentrator M Ports  
This field displays the number of Master (M) ports on the device that are  
associated with the selected SMT entity. A Master port is a port that provides a  
connection for Single Attachment Station (SAS) devices to the FDDI network. The  
9A128-01 does not support M ports, so this field will always display 0.  
Concentrator Non-M Ports  
This field display the number of non-Master ports (A, B, or S ports) on the device  
that are associated with the selected SMT entity. The 9A128-01 supports only two  
FDDI ports: the backplane A and B ports that supply each device’s connection to  
the FDDI FNB backplane.  
Number of MACs  
The number of Media Access Control entities present on the device associated  
with the selected SMT entity. For the 9A128-01, this number will be 1.  
MAC Path  
Indicates the configuration of the MAC in respect to the logical ring, as  
determined by the Connection Management (CMT) portion of SMT. CMT controls  
the establishment of a media attachment to the FDDI network, the connections  
with other nodes in the ring, and the internal configuration of the various entities  
within a node. CMT provides the link confidence test, and specifies a Link Error  
Monitor (LEM) which monitors active links on a per-link basis to ensure that  
failing links are detected and, if required, removed from the network. Possible  
values are:  
Primary indicates that the MAC is inserted into the primary path of the  
currently used FNB ring.  
Secondary indicates that the MAC is inserted into the secondary path of the  
currently used FNB ring.  
Local means that the MAC is not inserted into a primary or secondary path of  
a dual ring, but may be connected to one or more other nodes. This is not a  
valid value for the 9A128-01.  
Isolated means that the MAC has no connection to the ring or other  
concentrator ports.  
Not Available means that there is no MAC on the FDDI ring associated with  
the selected SMT entity. Again, this state will not occur for the 9A128-01.  
Unknown means that device firmware cannot determine the MAC path.  
? indicates that SPECTRUM Element Manager cannot determine the MAC  
path.  
Ring Configuration  
The current configuration of the MAC and physical layers of the A and B ports.  
Configuration  
4-5  
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FDDI Management  
Connection Policy  
The SMT Connection Policy determines which types of connections are allowed  
among the four FDDI port types: A, B, M (Master), and S (Slave). FDDI protocol  
forbids Master—>Master connections; all other connection types are legal,  
although some are considered to be undesirable.  
The Connection Policy window, Figure 4-3, lists potential connection types in a  
“Reject X-Y” format, where X represents the FDDI port on the selected module,  
and Y represents the attaching node. An X in the checkbox next to a Connection  
Policy indicates that the connection has been disallowed.  
Figure 4-3. The Connection Policy Window  
The following table summarizes the FDDI connection rules:  
Table 4-1. FDDI Connection Rules  
A
B
S
M
A
B
S
M
V, U  
V
V
V, U  
V, U  
V
V, P  
V, P  
V
V, U  
V, U  
V
V, U  
V
V
X
V —valid connection  
X —illegal connection  
U —undesirable (but legal) connection; this requires that SMT is notified.  
P —valid, but when both A and B are connected to M ports (a dual-homing  
configuration), only the B connection is used.  
Though technically legal under FDDI connection rules, undesirable connections will  
cause a twisted or wrapped ring.  
!
CAUTION  
4-6  
Connection Policy  
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FDDI Management  
Each device has its own connection policy; however, when two devices attempt to  
connect, their combined established connection policies dictate the connections  
that will be allowed. In an attempted connection between two nodes, the most  
lenient policy will determine whether the connection (as long as it is legal) can be  
made. For example, if two FDDI nodes attempt an A—>A connection, and this  
connection is not allowed at one FDDI node but allowed at the other, the  
connection would be accepted. If the connection policy at both nodes disallows  
the connection, the connection will be rejected.  
This is a read-only window; you currently cannot edit the connection policy via  
SPECTRUM Element Manager.  
You can use any SNMP Set Request or MIB tool to edit the Connection Policy for your  
device by setting the fddimibSMTConnectionPolicy MIB OID (part of the MIB-II FDDI  
Transmission MIB (RFC1512). fddimibSMTConnectionPolicy is simply a 16-bit integer  
value (ranging from 32768 to 65535) that corresponds to the connection policy (in the  
“Reject X-Y” format, where X represents a port on the FDDI Switch Module, and Y  
represents the attaching node).  
TIP  
To set the connection policy for the device, total the bit values corresponding to  
the desired connection policy according to the table below, and then use your SNMP  
Set Request or Mib tool to set the value for the appropriate SMT index. For example,  
to set a connection policy that disallowed the undesirable A-A or B-B connections  
you would set the fddimibSMTConnectionPolicy MIB OID to 32,801:  
32,768 (reject M-M, required) + 32 (reject B-B) + 1 (reject A-A).  
Policy  
Power  
0
reject A-A  
reject A-B  
reject A-S  
reject A-M  
reject B-A  
reject B-B  
reject B-S  
reject B-M  
reject S-A  
reject S-B  
reject S-S  
reject S-M  
reject M-A  
reject M-B  
reject M-S  
reject M-M  
2 (1)  
1
2 (2)  
2
2 (4)  
3
2 (8)  
4
2 (16)  
5
2 (32)  
6
2 (64)  
7
2 (128)  
8
2 (256)  
9
2 (512)  
10  
2
2
(1,024)  
(2,048)  
(4,096)  
(8,192)  
11  
12  
2
13  
14  
15  
2
2
2
(16,384)  
(32,768 — a permanently set value for this bit)  
Connection Policy  
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FDDI Management  
Station List  
The Station List illustrates the configuration of the ring associated with the  
currently selected SMT entity, including number of nodes on the ring, node  
addresses (both Canonical and MAC), node class, and ring topology.  
Figure 4-4. The Station List Window  
The Station List provides the following information about the ring with which the  
SMT is currently associated:  
Number of Nodes  
The number of stations inserted into the FDDI ring with which the SMT entity is  
currently associated.  
Address Mode  
Displays the current mode being used to display the addresses of the devices in  
the Station List. The two possible modes are Canonical (FDDI) or MAC (Ethernet).  
To change the current Address Mode, click on the Address Mode button at the  
bottom of the window. The current address mode will change in the Address  
Mode field and the Stations panel.  
4-8  
Station List  
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FDDI Management  
Stations Panel  
The Stations Panel displays a list of the stations on the ring to which the selected  
SMT is connected, in ring sequence from the MAC, along with each station’s node  
class and current topology.  
Note that the information displayed in the Station List is static once the window is  
opened; for updated information, click on the Refresh button.  
If the number of nodes exceeds the panel size, scroll bars will appear will appear  
in the list box that will allow you to scroll through the station list to view the node  
of interest.  
Information provided in the Stations Panel includes:  
#
An index number assigned to each station that indicates its position on the ring in  
relation to the monitored SMT’s MAC address. The monitored SMT’s MAC is  
always the first entry (1) in the station list.  
MAC Address  
Displays the 48-bit hardware address — used for universal address assignment  
— of the node inserted into the ring. These addresses are hardcoded into the  
device, and are not configurable. The address will appear in Canonical or MAC  
format, as currently selected.  
Node Class  
Displays the type of ring device. Possible values are:  
Station  
Indicates an FDDI node capable of transmitting, receiving, and  
repeating data.  
Concentrator Indicates an FDDI node that provides attachment points to the  
ring for stations that are not directly connected to the dual ring.  
Topology  
Indicates the node’s MAC configuration topology.  
Upstream Neighbor  
Displays hardware address (in Canonical or MAC format, as currently selected) of  
each node’s upstream neighbor.  
Station List  
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FDDI Management  
Performance  
The Performance window, Figure 4-5, provides graphical and numeric  
performance statistics for the selected SMT entity, including:  
Transmit Frames  
Receive Frames  
Frame Errors  
Lost Frames  
Ring Ops  
Figure 4-5. Performance Window  
Statistics are displayed in three ways:  
By count (i.e., the number detected of each for the selected interval).  
By rate (i.e., the number of each per second, as averaged over the selected  
interval).  
Graphically, as a percentage of each with respect to total network load  
processed by the selected interface during the last interval (e.g., a transmit  
frames rate of 75% during a delta interval indicates that of all frames processed  
by the selected interface, 75% were transmitted by that interface).  
You can view performance for three different intervals:  
Absolute — Counts recorded since the selected module was last started.  
Cumulative — Counts recorded since the Performance window was opened.  
Delta — Counts recorded during a single polling interval that is set for  
SPECTRUM Element Manager (refer to the Installing and Using... guide for  
information on setting polling intervals).  
To change the interval, click to select the desired radio button in the Count  
Display panel in the top right hand corner of the window.  
4-10  
Performance  
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FDDI Management  
Available statistics are:  
Transmit Frames  
The number of frames transmitted by the MAC associated with the SMT during  
the chosen interval.  
Receive Frames  
The number of frames received by the MAC associated with the SMT during the  
chosen interval.  
Frame Errors  
The number of error frames detected by the MAC associated with the SMT during  
the chosen interval that had not been detected previously by other stations. Error  
frames may include frames with an invalid Frame Check Sequence (FCS), with  
data length errors, or with internal errors that prevent the MAC from transferring  
the frame to the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer.  
Lost Frames  
The number of frames detected by the MAC associated with the SMT during the  
chosen interval that have an unknown error, so their validity is in doubt. When  
the MAC encounters a frame of this type, it increments the Lost Frame counter  
and strips the remainder of the frame from the ring, replacing it with idle  
symbols.  
Ring Ops  
The number of times the ring has entered the “Ring Operational” state from the  
“Ring Not Operational” state during the selected interval. This counter updates  
when the MAC informs Station Management (SMT) of a change in Ring  
Operation status.  
Performance  
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FDDI Management  
4-12  
Performance  
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Chapter 5  
Bridging  
Bridge management overview; the Bridge Status window; enabling and disabling bridging; Bridge  
Performance Graphs; bridge detail breakdown; the Bridge Spanning Tree window; changing bridge  
Spanning Tree parameters; the Filtering Database window; configuring the filtering database  
With SPECTRUM Element Manager’s Bridge Status window, you can view and  
manage each bridging interface supported by the 9A128-01. You manage your  
bridge by using the following windows:  
The Bridge Status window provides you with basic information about the  
current status of each available bridging interface, and allows you to enable or  
disable bridging at each interface. The Bridge Status window also provides  
access to additional windows which allow you to configure bridging  
parameters.  
The bridge-level Duplex Modes option allows you to set Duplex Mode  
operation for the FDDI interface; although the window is available, duplex  
mode operation is not currently supported for the 9A128-01.  
The Performance Graph and Interface Statistics windows graphically display  
the traffic passing between your bridged networks, and let you compare and  
contrast traffic processed by each interface; the Source Addressing window  
lists the MAC addresses of devices communicating through each interface.  
The Spanning Tree window shows bridge port information and protocol  
parameters relating to the Spanning Tree Algorithm (the method of  
determining the controlling bridge when a series of bridges are placed in  
parallel).  
With the Filtering Database window, you can see the contents of the Static and  
Learned databases – the two address databases which construct the IEEE 802.1  
Source Address Table. The bridge uses the contents of these databases to make  
its packet filtering and forwarding decisions. You can configure entries in these  
databases to increase bridging efficiency across your network.  
The following sections detail how to use each of the bridge management  
windows.  
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Bridging  
By default, the 9A128-01 perform traditional switching (or bridging). Firmware version  
2.10.13 and earlier do not support the ability to select SecureFast switching; if you have a  
later version of firmware, check your hardware manuals to see if your version of firmware  
supports this feature. The toggle from traditional bridging to SecureFast switching is  
performed via Local Management; see your Local Management documentation for details.  
NOTE  
Bridging-related windows will not be available for devices which have been configured for  
SecureFast switching.  
The Bridge Status Window  
The Bridge Status window provides you with basic information about the current  
status of bridging across your 9A128-01. Color-coding of each port display allows  
you to quickly ascertain the status of each interface. The Bridge Status window  
also lets you access further windows to control bridging parameters. To access the  
Bridge Status window from the Module View window:  
1. In the Module View window, click on Device to display the Device menu.  
2. Drag down to Bridge Status..., and release. The appropriate Bridge Status  
window, Figure 5-1, will appear.  
Figure 5-1. The Bridge Status Window  
The following information is provided by the Bridge Status window for each  
available bridging interface:  
5-2  
The Bridge Status Window  
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Bridging  
Up Time  
At the top of the Bridge Status window, you can see the time period (in a days,  
hh:mm:ss format) that has elapsed since the selected module was last reset or  
initialized.  
Bridge State on Interface  
Indicates the state of bridging over the port interface. Note that this state (and its  
corresponding color-code) will also be reflected on the bridge port display in the  
Module View window. Possible bridge states and their corresponding colors are:  
Forwarding (green) – the port is on line, and is configured by Spanning Tree  
Algorithm to forward frames to and from its attached network.  
Disabled (blue) – bridging at the port has been disabled by management; no  
traffic can be received or forwarded, including configuration information for  
the bridged topology.  
Listening (magenta) – this bridge port is not adding information to the  
Filtering Database. The port is monitoring Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU)  
traffic while preparing to move to the Forwarding state.  
Learning (magenta) – the Forwarding database is being created or the  
Spanning Tree Algorithm is being executed due to a network topology change;  
the port is monitoring network traffic, learning network addresses.  
Blocking (orange) – Spanning TreeAlgorithm has configured this port to block  
(filter) frames to prevent redundant data loops in the bridged network; the  
port can’t receive or forward traffic, but bridge topology information will be  
forwarded.  
Broken (red) — the physical interface has malfunctioned.  
Interface Type  
Indicates the interface type which applies to each bridge port interface (fddi, atm,  
or other for the INB). The interface type (ifType) is a mandatory object type from  
the SNMP MIB-II Interface (IF) Group.  
Bridge Address  
Indicates the physical (MAC) address of the bridge port.  
Speed  
Indicates the theoretical maximum speed of the selected interface in kilobytes per  
second: 2500 Mbits for the INB interface; 100 Mbits for FDDI; and 155 Mbits for  
ATM.  
Accessing Other Management Options from the  
Bridge Status Window  
At the top of the Bridge Status window, you can click on  
that provides other bridge management options:  
to access a menu  
The Bridge Status Window  
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Bridging  
A Module Type window that contains a description of the 9A128-01 module,  
see Viewing Hardware Types in Chapter 2 for more information.  
ABridge Performance Graph that displays statistics for traffic across the entire  
bridge (see Bridge Statistics, page 5-6).  
A Performance Graph window is also available for each individual interface,  
by clicking on a port index button to display the port level management  
options (see Bridge Statistics, page 5-6).  
The Spanning Tree window, which allows you to set the Spanning Tree  
Algorithm parameters (see Bridge Spanning Tree, page 5-14).  
The Filtering Database window, which lets you configure the bridge’s  
acquired and permanent filtering databases to filter or forward traffic across  
the selected module (see Filtering Database, page 5-21).  
The Duplex Modes window, which allows you to configure duplex mode (on  
or off) for standard Ethernet and FDDI interfaces; see Configuring Duplex  
Modes, below, for details.  
Configuring Duplex Modes  
Enabling Full Duplex mode on an interface allows the interface to receive and  
transmit packets at the same time, effectively doubling the available bandwidth  
(and, therefore, the wire speed) on the selected interface. Interfaces which are not  
set to Full Duplex mode must receive and transmit separately, waiting for one  
activity to be completed before the other is begun.  
Although this option appears on the menu accessed from the Bridge Status window, the  
Duplex Mode functionality is not supported by the 9A128-01 module. Attempting to set  
options in these windows will generate Set Failed errors, but will not affect the device’s  
bridging functions.  
NOTE  
To access the Duplex Modes window:  
1. Click on  
to display the main Bridge menu;  
2. Drag down to Duplex Mode(s)..., and release. The Duplex Modes Window,  
Figure 5-2, will appear.  
5-4  
Configuring Duplex Modes  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-2. The Duplex Modes Window  
The main portion of the Duplex Modes window consists of a list of the interfaces  
available on the 9A128-01 module and their current Full Duplex state: ON  
indicates that Full Duplex mode has been enabled for the selected interface; OFF  
indicates that it has not; N/A indicates that Full Duplex is not available.  
To configure the Duplex Mode for any standard Ethernet or FDDI interface:  
1. In the Duplex Modes window, highlight the interface whose Duplex Mode you  
wish to change. Note that only one interface can be selected at a time.  
2. Double-click the selected interface to toggle the Full Duplex setting from ON  
to OFF, or vice versa. The set will take place immediately.  
Enabling and Disabling Bridging  
When you disable a bridge port, you disconnect that port’s network from the  
bridge entirely. The port does not forward any packets, nor does it participate in  
Spanning Tree operations. Nodes connected to the network can still communicate  
with each other, but they can’t communicate with the bridge and other networks  
connected to the bridge. When you enable a port, the port moves from the  
Disabled state through the Learning and Listening states to the Forwarding or  
Blocking state (as determined by Spanning Tree).  
To enable or disable bridging at the port interface level from the Bridge Status  
window:  
1. Click on the desired Port button ( ) to display the port menu.  
2. Drag down to Enable to restart bridging on the selected interface, or Disable  
to halt bridging across the selected interface.  
Enabling and Disabling Bridging  
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Bridging  
To enable or disable bridging at all ports from the Bridge Status window:  
1. Click on to display the bridge menu.  
2. Drag down to Enable Bridge to restart bridging across all interfaces, or  
Disable Bridge to halt bridging across all interfaces.  
You can also disable bridging across all ports or for an individual bridge port on  
from the Module View window; see Enabling and Disabling Ports in Chapter 2  
for details.  
Bridge Statistics  
The following sections describe the Statistics windows available for the selected  
bridge, both at the device and port levels.  
Performance Graphs  
You use the Bridge Performance Graphs to view a color-coded strip chart that  
shows you the traffic being bridged through all networks or an individual  
network supported by your device. You can configure the display to show frames  
filtered, forwarded, and/or transmitted, as well as the number of errors. The  
graph has an x axis that indicates the 60 second interval over which charting  
occurs continuously, while its y axis measures the number of packets or errors  
that are processed by the selected module as a whole or by one of its bridging  
interfaces.  
For the 9A128-01, selecting the Detail button on the device-level performance  
graph window allows you to compare the packets forwarded, filtered, or  
transmitted across all networks supported by the 9A128-01, as well as errors on  
all networks; for a selected bridged network, the Detail button allows you to view  
the number of packets forward to, or received from, each other network  
supported by the 9A128-01.  
You can select the statistics you wish to monitor by using the menu buttons  
provided; when you change Performance Graph parameters, the graph will  
refresh and generate a strip chart based on the newly defined parameters.  
To access the collective Bridge Performance Graph window:  
1. From the Bridge Status window, click on  
to display the bridge menu.  
or  
From the Module View window, click on the Bridge label in the module  
display; the bridge menu will appear.  
5-6  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
2. Drag down to Performance Graph..., and release. The Bridge Performance  
Graph window, Figure 5-3, will appear. (The individual port Bridge  
Performance Graph windows are similar, except that they display a graph  
applicable to the selected interface.)  
Figure 5-3. Bridge Performance Graph  
To access the port-level Bridge Performance Graph windows:  
1. From the Bridge Status window, click on the appropriate port button ( ) to  
display the port menu.  
or  
From the Module View window, click on the appropriate Port Index on the  
bridge port display; the Port menu will appear.  
2. Drag down to Performance Graph..., and release. The port-level Bridge  
Performance Graph window will appear.  
For each chosen statistic, Performance Graphs display both average and peak  
activity, as well as the date and time the peak values were recorded; average  
values are also displayed graphically.  
The Average statistics are updated every two seconds, as averaged over the  
previous four two-second intervals; the graphical display also updates at  
two-second intervals. For the first 60 seconds of graphing, you will note the graph  
lines extending as each interval’s data is added to the graph. Once the first 60  
seconds has passed, the newest data is added at the right edge of the graph, and  
the oldest data is scrolled off to the left.  
Available performance statistics are:  
Forwarded (Green)  
Forwarded  
The number of frames forwarded by the bridge, at the device or  
port level.  
Nothing  
The Frames Forwarded function is currently not measuring any  
statistics.  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
Filtered (Magenta)  
Filtered  
The total number of frames filtered by the bridge, at the device or  
port level.  
Nothing  
The Filtered scale is not currently measuring the number of  
packets filtered by the bridge.  
Total Errors (Red)  
Total Errors  
The total number of errors experienced by all bridging interfaces  
on the selected module, or by an individual bridge interface.  
Nothing  
The Errors scale is currently not measuring error packets coming  
through the device as a whole or a single port.  
Xmitted (Blue)  
Xmitted  
The total number of frames transmitted by the selected bridge  
interface, or by all bridge interfaces.  
Nothing  
The Xmitted scale is not currently measuring the number of  
packets filtered by the bridge or the selected individual interface.  
Configuring the Bridge Performance Graphs  
To configure the Bridge Performance Graph:  
1. Using the mouse, click on (with green statistics to the right).The  
Forwarded menu will appear. Click on the desired mode.  
2. Click on (with magenta statistics to the right).The Filtered menu  
will appear. Click on the desired mode.  
3. Click on (with red statistics to the right). The Errors menu will  
appear. Click on the desired mode.  
4. Click on (with blue statistics to the right). The Xmitted menu will  
appear. Click on the desired mode.  
Once you have selected a new mode, it will appear in its respective button, and  
after the next poll the Performance Graph will refresh and begin to measure using  
the new mode.  
The Bridge Detail Breakdown Window  
The Bridge Detail Breakdown window allows you to compare the number of  
frames forwarded, filtered, and transmitted on the network segments connected  
to each bridging interface on your 9A128-01, as well as the number of errors  
experienced on each interface.  
To access this window from the Bridge performance graph, click on  
Bridge Detail Breakdown window, Figure 5-4, will appear.  
. The  
5-8  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-4. The Bridge Detail Breakdown Window  
The following information is available for the network segments connected to  
each of the bridge ports on the 9A128-01. The information is expressed both  
numerically and in pie charts. Each port’s network segment has a corresponding  
color for its statistics or pie chart segments (LAN 1 = red, LAN 2 = light green,  
LAN 3 = yellow, LAN 4 = blue).  
The values given in these fields are cumulative totals read from the 9A128-01.  
Forwarded  
The total number of frames forwarded on each port’s network segment.  
Filtered  
The total number of frames filtered on each port’s network segment.  
Errors  
The total number of frames (either inbound or outbound) containing errors which  
prevented them from being processed.  
Xmitted  
The total number of frames transmitted over each port’s network segment.  
The Bridge Port Detail Breakdown Window  
For the selected bridge interface, the Bridge Port Detail Breakdown window  
allows you to view the number of packets forwarded to or received from each of  
the other interfaces on your 9A128-01.  
To access the Bridge Port Detail Breakdown window from the port Bridge  
performance graph, click on  
Figure 5-5, will appear.  
. The Bridge Port Detail Breakdown window,  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-5. The Bridge Port Detail Breakdown Window  
The following information is available for each bridge interface on the 9A128-01;  
the information is expressed both numerically and in pie charts:  
Forwarded to  
The number of frames forwarded by the selected bridge interface to each other  
interface on the bridge.  
Forwarded from  
The total number of frames received by the selected bridge interface from each of  
the other bridge interfaces.  
The Interface Statistics Window  
The Interface (IF) Statistics window (Figure 5-6) provides MIB-II interface  
statistical information — including counts for both transmit and receive packets,  
and error and buffering information — for each of the interfaces available on the  
9A128-01. A color-coded pie chart in the middle of the window lets you  
graphically view statistics for Unicast, Non-Unicast, Discarded, and Error  
packets.  
This window is also available for all port interfaces via the I/F Summary window available  
from the Module View Device menu. See Viewing I/F Summary Information in  
Chapter 2 for more information.  
TIP  
To access the IF Statistics window:  
1. Click on the appropriate bridge port index ( ) to reveal the Port menu.  
2. Drag down to IF Statistics..., and release.  
5-10  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-6. Interface Statistics Window  
Three informational fields appear in the upper portion of the window:  
Description  
Displays the interface description for the currently selected port.  
Address  
Displays the MAC (physical) address of the selected port.  
Type  
Displays the interface type of the selected port.  
The lower portion of the window provides the following transmit and receive  
statistics; note that the first four statistics are also graphically displayed in the pie  
charts.  
Unicast  
Displays the number of packets transmitted to or received from this interface that  
had a single, unique destination address. These statistics are displayed in the pie  
char, color-coded green.  
Non-Unicast  
Displays the number of packets transmitted to or received from this interface that  
had a destination address that is recognized by more than one device on the  
network segment. The non-unicast field includes a count of broadcast packets —  
those that are recognized by all devices on a segment. These statistics are  
displayed in the pie chart, color-coded dark blue.  
Bridge Statistics  
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Bridging  
Discarded  
Displays the number of packets which were discarded even though they  
contained no errors that would prevent transmission. Good packets are typically  
discarded to free up buffer space when the network becomes very busy; if this is  
occurring routinely, it usually means that network traffic is overwhelming the  
device. To solve this problem, you may need to re-configure your bridging  
parameters, or perhaps re-configure your network to add additional bridges.  
Consult the Cabletron Systems Network Troubleshooting Guide for more  
information.  
These statistics are displayed in the pie chart, color-coded magenta.  
Error  
Displays the number of packets received or transmitted that contained errors.  
These statistics are displayed in the pie chart, color-coded red.  
Unknown Protocol (Received only)  
Displays the number of packets received which were discarded because they were  
created under an unknown or unsupported protocol.  
Packets Received (Received only)  
Displays the number of packets received by the selected interface.  
Transmit Queue Size (Transmit only)  
Displays the number of packets currently queued for transmission from this  
interface. The amount of device memory devoted to buffer space, and the traffic  
level on the target network, determine how large the output packet queue can  
grow before the 9A128-01 will begin to discard packets.  
Packets Transmitted (Transmit only)  
Displays the number of packets transmitted by this interface.  
Using Source Addressing  
You can use the Port Source Addresses window to view the MAC addresses that  
are communicating through a selected bridge interface.  
To open the Source Addresses window from the Bridge Status window:  
1. Click on the individual index (  
menu will appear.  
) of the bridge interface of interest. The port  
2. Select Source Addressing....The Source Addresses window, Figure 5-7, will  
appear.  
5-12  
Using Source Addressing  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-7. The Port Source Addresses Window  
You can also open the Port Source Addresses window from the Module View by clicking  
on the bridge interface of interest and selecting the Source Addressing option.  
TIP  
The Port Source Addresses window displays the MAC addresses of all devices  
that have transmitted packets that have been forwarded through the selected  
bridging interface during the last cycle of the Filtering Database’s defined ageing  
timer (learned addresses that have not transmitted a packet during one complete  
cycle of the ageing timer are purged from the Source Address Table). For more  
information on the Filtering Database, see Filtering Database on page 5-21.  
Setting the Ageing Time  
To alter the Source Address Ageing Time:  
1. Click the I-bar cursor ( ) next to the Device Ageing Time field. The Device  
Ageing Time window, Figure 5-8, will appear.  
Figure 5-8. Device Ageing Time Window  
Using Source Addressing  
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Bridging  
2. Type in the new Ageing Time (allowable range is 10 to 1,000,000 seconds; the  
default is 300 seconds).  
3. Click  
to accept the new Ageing Time, or click  
to exit the  
window without making changes.  
Note that the Source Addresses Ageing Time is the same as the Ageing Time displayed  
(and configured) via the Filtering Database window; setting the Ageing Time in the  
Source Addresses window also changes the time in the Filtering Database window, and  
vice versa.  
NOTE  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
The Bridge Spanning Tree window allows you to display and modify the selected  
module’s bridge port information and protocol parameters relating to the  
Spanning Tree Algorithm.  
In a network design with multiple bridges placed in parallel (i.e., attached to the  
same LAN), data loops must be prevented. The Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) is  
the method that bridges use to communicate with each other to ensure that only a  
single data route exists between any two end stations. On a LAN interconnected  
by multiple bridges, Spanning Tree selects a controlling Root Bridge and Port for  
the entire bridged LAN, and a Designated Bridge and Port for each individual  
LAN segment. A Designated Port/Bridge for a LAN segment forwards frames  
from that LAN towards the Root Bridge, or from the Root Bridge onto the LAN.  
All other bridge ports attached to that LAN are configured to filter (block) frames.  
When data passes from one end station to another across a bridged LAN, it is  
forwarded through the Designated Bridge/Port for each LAN segment towards  
the Root Bridge, which in turn forwards frames towards Designated  
Bridges/Ports on its opposite side.  
During the Root Bridge Selection process, all bridges on the network  
communicate STA information via Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). With  
BPDUs, all network bridges collectively determine the current network topology  
and communicate with each other to ensure that the topology information is kept  
current.  
To access the Bridge Spanning Tree window:  
1. From the Bridge Status window, click on  
to display the Bridge menu.  
or  
From the Module View window, click on the Bridge label in the module  
display; the bridge menu will appear.  
2. Drag down to Spanning Tree..., and release. The Bridge Spanning Tree  
window, Figure 5-9, will appear.  
5-14  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-9. Bridge Spanning Tree Window  
Configuring the Bridge Spanning Tree Window  
The Bridge Spanning Tree window displays STA parameters and allows you to  
alter parameters for the selected bridge as a whole, and for each individual  
bridging interface.  
The currently selected bridging interface is highlighted in the lower right  
quadrant of the window. To alter the parameters of another interface, click on the  
appropriate Port X name listed in the quadrant.  
The Bridge Spanning Tree window provides the following bridge-level  
information:  
Bridge Priority  
This field displays the “priority” component of the module’s unique bridge  
identifier. The Spanning Tree Algorithm assigns each bridge a unique identifier,  
which is derived from the bridge’s MAC address and the Priority. The bridge with  
the lowest value of bridge identifier is selected as the Root. A lower priority  
number indicates a higher priority; a higher priority enhances a bridge’s chance  
of being selected as the Root.  
You can edit this text box to change network topology, if needed. The default  
value is 8000.  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Part of a bridge’s Identifier is based on its MAC address. In most network installations,  
the difference between bridge performance may be negligible. You may, however, find your  
data bottle-necked in installations where both a low-performance bridge and a  
high-performance bridge are attached to the same LAN segment and the two (or more)  
bridges have the same Priority component set (e.g., at the default 8000 Hex). In such a  
scenario you may want to alter the Priority component of the higher performance bridge to  
ensure that it becomes root for the segment (or overall root). Remember, if Priority  
components are equal the bridge on the segment with the lowest Hex value of MAC  
address would have a better chance of being selected as the root bridge — as it would have  
a lower Bridge Identifier. If your bridges come from multiple vendors, they will have  
different MAC address values (e.g., Cabletron devices have a lower MAC address than  
3Com devices); if they come from the same vendor, the bridge with the earlier manufacture  
date will be likely to have the lower MAC address value.  
TIP  
Root Bridge  
Displays the MAC address of the bridge that is currently functioning as the Root  
Bridge.  
Root Cost  
Indicates the cost of the data path from this bridge to the Root Bridge. Each port  
on each bridge adds a “cost” to a particular path that a frame must travel. For  
example, if each port in a particular path has a Path Cost of 1, the Root Cost  
would be a count of the number of bridges along the path. (You can edit the Path  
Cost of bridge ports as described later.) The Root Bridge’s Root Cost is 0.  
Root Port  
This field displays the identifier (the physical index number) of the selected  
module’s bridge port that has the lowest cost path to the Root Bridge on the  
network. If the selected module is currently the Root Bridge, this field will read 0.  
Protocol  
Displays the Spanning Tree Algorithm Protocol type the selected module is  
currently using. The choices are:  
802.1  
DEC (DEC Lanbridge 100)  
None  
The following four fields display values used for various Spanning Tree timers  
that are set at the Root Bridge and this bridge. In Spanning Tree operations, the  
value used for the tree is the one set at the Root Bridge (with the exception of  
Hold Time, which is a fixed value); but you can change the value for each bridge  
on your network in the event that it becomes Root.  
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Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Hello Time  
This parameter indicates, in seconds, the length of time the Root Bridge (or bridge  
attempting to become the Root) waits before resending Configuration BPDUs.  
The range for this field is 1 to 10 seconds, with a default value of 2 seconds. The  
Root Bridge sets the Hello Time.  
Max Age  
This parameter displays the bridge’s BPDU ageing timer. This controls the  
maximum time a BPDU can be retained by the bridge before it is discarded.  
During normal operation, each bridge in the network receives a new  
Configuration BPDU before the timer expires. If the timer expires before a  
Configuration BPDU is received, it indicates that the former Root is no longer  
active. The remaining bridges begin Spanning Tree operation to select a new Root.  
The current Root Bridge on the network sets the Max Age time. The range for this  
field is 6 to 40 seconds, with a default value of 20 seconds.  
Forwarding Delay  
This parameter displays the time period which elapses between states while the  
bridge is moving to the Forwarding state. For example, while moving from a  
Blocking to a Forwarding state, the port first moves from Blocking to Listening to  
BPDU activity on the network, remains there for the Forward Delay period, then  
moves to the Learning State (and remains in it for the Forward Delay period), and  
finally moves into a Forwarding state. This timer is set by the Root Bridge. During  
a topology change, the Forward Delay is also used as the Filtering Database  
Aging Time (refer to Filtering Database, page 5-21), which ensures that the  
Filtering Database maintains current topology information.  
Hold Time  
This parameter displays, in seconds, the minimum time that can elapse between  
the transmission of Configuration BPDUs through a bridge port. The Hold Time  
ensures that Configuration BPDUs are not transmitted too frequently through any  
bridge port. Receiving a BPDU starts the Hold Timer. After the Hold Timer  
expires, the port transmits its Configuration BPDU to send configuration  
information to the Root. The Hold Time is a fixed value, as specified by the IEEE  
802.1d specification.  
The following fields are applicable to each bridge port on the selected module:  
Priority  
If two or more ports on the same bridge are connected to the same LAN segment,  
they will receive the same Root ID/Root Cost/Bridge ID information in  
Configuration BPDUs received at each port. In this case, the BPDU’s Port ID  
information – the transmitting port’s identifier and its manageable Priority  
component – is used to determine which is the Designated Port for that segment.  
A lower assigned value gives the port a higher Priority when BPDUs are  
compared. The allowable range is 0-FF hexadecimal (0-255 decimal); the default is  
80 hexadecimal.  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Path Cost  
Displays the cost that this port will contribute to the calculation of the overall  
Root path cost in a Configuration BPDU transmitted by this bridge port. You can  
lower a port’s Path Cost to make the port more competitive in the selection of the  
Designated Port – for example, you may want to assign a lower path cost to a port  
on a higher performance bridge. The allowable range is 1 to 65535.  
Designated Cost  
Displays the cost of the path to the Root Bridge of the Designated Port on the  
LAN to which this port is attached. This cost is added to the Path Cost to test the  
value of the Root Path Cost parameter received in Configuration BPDUs.  
Designated Root  
Displays the unique bridge identifier of the bridge that is assumed to be the Root  
Bridge.  
Designated Bridge  
Displays the network address portion of the Bridge ID (MAC address/priority  
component) for the bridge that is believed to be the Designated Bridge for the  
LAN associated with this port.  
The Designated Bridge ID, along with the Designated Port and Port Identifier  
parameters for the port, is used to determine whether this port should be the  
Designated Port for the LAN to which it is attached. The Designated Bridge ID is  
also used to test the value of the Bridge Identifier parameter in received BPDUs.  
Designated Port  
Displays the network address portion of the Port ID (which includes a  
manageable Priority component) of the port believed to be the Designated Port  
for the LAN associated with this port.  
The Designated Port ID, along with the Designated Bridge and Port Identifier  
parameters for the port, is used to determine whether this port should be the  
Designated Port for the LAN to which it is attached. Management also uses it to  
determine the Bridged LAN topology.  
Topology  
This indicates how many times the bridge’s Topology Change flag has been  
changed since the selected module was last powered up or initialized. The  
Topology Change flag increments each time a bridge enters or leaves the network,  
or when the Root Bridge ID changes.  
Changing Bridge Spanning Tree Parameters  
The Bridge Spanning Tree window allows you to update the following  
parameters for your bridge. When you have finished making changes to the  
following individual parameters, you must click on at the bottom of the  
Spanning Tree window to write the changes to the selected module.  
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Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Any values you set at the bridge will cause a Topology Change flag to be issued in the next  
Configuration BPDUs it transmits. This will cause the bridged network to immediately  
recalculate Spanning Tree and change topology accordingly.  
NOTE  
Changing Bridge Priority  
To change the part of the bridge address that contains the identifier used in the  
Spanning Tree Algorithm for priority comparisons:  
1. Highlight the Bridge Priority field.  
2. Enter the new identifier, in hexadecimal format; the allowed range is 0-FFFF  
hexadecimal.  
3. Click on Set.  
The selected Bridge Priority will be applied to the bridge (a lower number  
indicates a higher priority in the root selection process).  
Changing the Spanning Tree Algorithm Protocol Type  
To change the type of protocol used in Spanning Tree:  
1. Click the mouse on the appropriate option button: IEEE 802.1, DEC, or None.  
2. Click on Set.  
The selected Spanning Tree Algorithm protocol type will be applied to the bridge.  
If you selected None, the Spanning Tree Algorithm will be disabled (if it already  
was enabled). If STA Protocol Type was changed from None to IEEE 802.1 or DEC,  
you must restart the bridge for the newly selected STA protocol to be applied.  
All bridges in a network must use the same Spanning Tree version. Mixing Spanning Tree  
Algorithm protocols will cause an unstable network.  
!
CAUTION  
Changing Hello Time  
If the bridge is the Root Bridge, or is attempting to become the Root, and you  
want to change the length of time the bridge waits between sending configuration  
BPDUs:  
1. Highlight the Hello Time field, and type in a new value.  
2. Click on Set.  
The IEEE 802.1d specification recommends that Hello Time = 2 seconds; the  
allowable range is 1 to 10 seconds.  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Changing Max Age Time  
If the selected module is the Root Bridge or attempting to become the Root, and  
you want to change the maximum time that bridge protocol information will be  
kept before it is discarded:  
1. Highlight the Max Age field, and type in a new value.  
2. Click on Set.  
The IEEE 802.1d specification recommends that Max Age = 20 seconds; the  
allowable range is 6 to 40 seconds.  
Changing Forwarding Delay Time  
If the selected module is the Root Bridge or attempting to become the Root, and  
you want to change the time period the bridge will spend in the Listening state  
(e.g. either listening to BPDU activity on the network while moving from the  
Blocking to the Learning state or in the Learning state while the bridge is moving  
from the Listening to the Forwarding state):  
1. Highlight the Forwarding Delay field, and type in a new value.  
2. Click on Set.  
The IEEE 802.1d specification recommends that Forward Delay = 15 seconds; the  
allowable range is 4 to 30 seconds.  
To ensure proper operation of the Spanning Tree Algorithm, the IEEE 802.1d specification  
recommends that you always observe the following relationship between Forwarding  
Delay and Max Age:  
NOTE  
2 x (Forwarding Delay - 1.0) > Max Age  
Changing Port Priority  
To change the part of the Port Priority used in priority comparisons:  
1. If necessary, select the desired port by clicking the mouse to highlight the port  
in the lower right quadrant of the window. The lower left quadrant of the  
window will now allow you to edit parameters for the selected port.  
2. Highlight the port Priority field, and enter the new priority identifier. Only valid  
hexadecimal numbers (0 to FF) are allowed in this field. The default is 80  
hexadecimal.  
3. Click on Set. The new port priority will be saved.  
5-20  
Bridge Spanning Tree  
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Bridging  
Changing Path Cost  
To change the Path Cost:  
1. If necessary, select the desired port by clicking the mouse to highlight the port  
in the lower right quadrant of the window. The lower left quadrant of the  
window will now allow you to edit parameters for the selected port.  
2. Highlight the Path Cost field, and type in a new value from 1 to 65535 decimal  
(default is 100 decimal).  
3. Click on Set.  
The new path cost will be applied to the port.  
Filtering Database  
The Filtering Database, which makes up the IEEE 802.1 Source Address Table, is  
used to determine which frames will be forwarded or filtered between the  
selected module’s bridging ports.  
Transparent bridges like the 9A128-01 use the Filtering Database to determine a  
packet’s route through the bridge. During initialization, the bridge copies the  
contents of its Permanent Database to the Filtering Database. Next, the bridge  
learns network addresses by entering the source address and port association of  
each received packet into the Filtering Database. When in the Forwarding state,  
the bridge examines each received packet and checks it against the contents of the  
Filtering Database. If the destination address is located on the network from  
which the packet was received, the bridge filters (does not forward) the packet. If  
the destination address is located on a different network, the bridge forwards the  
packet to the appropriate network. If the destination address is not found in the  
Filtering Database, the bridge forwards the packet to all networks. To keep  
Filtering Database entries current, older entries are purged after a period of time,  
which is called the Dynamic Ageing Time.  
The Filtering Database consists of two separate databases: the Static and the  
Learned Databases.  
The Static Database contains addresses that are entered by a network  
administrator. You add these addresses directly to the database while the bridge is  
powered up, or to the selected module’s battery-backed RAM so that they are  
stored on shutdown till the next power-up.  
The Learned Database consists of addresses that accumulate as part of the  
bridge’s learning process as it is up and running. These do not remain in the  
Source Address Table when the system is shut down. The Learned Database also  
contains the addresses that are in the Static Database upon start-up of the bridge.  
Entries to the Source Address Table are one of four types: Permanent, Static,  
Dynamic, or Learned.  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
Permanent entries are addresses that you add to the Static Database (via the  
Filtering Database window) that are stored in the selected module’s  
battery-backed RAM. Since they remain in the module on shutdown or restart,  
they are considered “Permanent.”  
Static entries are addresses that you add to the Static Database (via the  
Filtering Database window). These entries remain in the selected module’s  
memory until it is shut down.  
Dynamic entries are addresses that you add to the Static Database (via the  
Filtering Database window). With the Ageing Time feature, you set the time  
period that these addresses are saved in the Source Address Table. Addresses  
that have not transmitted a packet during one complete cycle of the ageing  
timer are deleted from the database.  
Learned entries are addresses that are added to the Learned Database through  
the bridge’s learning process. With the Ageing Time feature, you set the time  
period that these addresses are saved in the Source Address Table. Addresses  
which are inactive within a cycle of the ageing timer are dropped from the  
database.  
Learned address entries are divided into two types, Learned and Self.Address  
entries classified as Learned have transmitted frames destined for a device  
attached to a segment connected to the selected module. Address entries  
classified as Self are those that have sent a frame with a destination address of  
one of the selected module’s bridging port.  
At the Filtering Database window (Figure 5-10), you can view the number of  
entries of each type: Permanent, Static, Dynamic, or Learned.  
When you first initialize the Filtering Database window, a message will appear to inform  
you that data is being retrieved. The message will disappear when all information has been  
returned from the Filtering Database, and you will be able to view and configure database  
entries.  
NOTE  
5-22  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
Figure 5-10. The Filtering Database Window  
A scrollable Address Entry panel allows you to:  
View the address entries in the Filtering Database.  
Alter an entry’s type (e.g., from Learned to Permanent, Dynamic, or Static).  
View and configure the bridging action taking place on the packets entering  
each of the bridging ports.  
In addition, you can use buttons to add individual addresses to, or delete them  
from, these databases, or clear all Permanent, Static, or Dynamic entries in the  
database.  
To access the Filtering Database window:  
1. Click on  
to display the Bridge menu.  
or  
Click on the Bridge label in the module display; the bridge menu will appear.  
2. Drag down to Filtering Database..., and release. The Filtering Database  
window will appear.  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
The following fields are listed in the top portion of the Filtering Database  
window:  
List  
The List checkboxes indicate whether the associated entry type (Permanent,  
Static, Dynamic, or Learned) will be displayed in the scrollable table of address  
entries. A check next to the entry type indicates that it will be displayed.  
Type  
Indicates the type of entry in the database.  
Number  
Displays the current number of Permanent, Static, Dynamic, and Learned  
Address entries.  
Capacity  
Indicates the total capacity of each entry type in the Static and Learned databases.  
Ageing Time  
Indicates the length of time, in seconds, that Dynamic and Learned Addresses in  
the Source Address Table are allowed to remain inactive before they are dropped  
from the database. The allowable time range for these entries is 10 to 1,000,000  
seconds. Ageing time is not applicable to Static or Permanent entries. You can  
configure this field, as described in the next section.  
The following fields are applicable to the scrollable Address Entry panel of  
Filtering Database entries.  
Address  
Lists the addresses for which the bridge’s Filtering Database has forwarding  
and/or filtering information.  
Type  
Indicates the type of an entry in the database. The possible types are Static,  
Dynamic, Learned, Self, or Permanent. You can alter the entry type, as described  
in the next section.  
Source Port  
Indicates the port number on which the address entry was first detected. A  
question mark (?) indicates that the address entry was not a learned entry, but  
Port Filtering information applies to it (i.e., the entry is a created Permanent,  
Dynamic, or Static entry and has corresponding filtering information).  
5-24  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
Receive Port  
Indicates the number of the port on which a frame must be received in order for  
the entry’s Port Filtering information to apply. An asterisk ( ) indicates that the  
*
receive port is promiscuous, and applies to all ports of the bridge (assuming no  
conflicting entry applies). You can change the receive port, as described in the  
following section.  
Port Filtering  
Indicates the action that will take place at each bridge port when it receives  
frames from the selected address entry. A green arrow indicates that the frames  
received from the address will be forwarded to the port’s associated segment  
(
). A red circle indicates that frames will be filtered (blocked) from the port’s  
associated segment ( ). You can change the Port Filtering action, as described  
in the next section. Use the scroll bars to view the filtering/forwarding status for  
all available ports; only two consecutive ports are displayed simultaneously.  
Configuring the Filtering Database  
You can configure the Filtering Database by:  
Altering the Ageing Time for Dynamic and Learned entries.  
Changing the type of entry with the Type buttons.  
Changing the Receive port for the filter.  
Changing the Port Filtering action at each bridge port.  
Adding or deleting individual Filtering Database entries.  
Clearing all Permanent, Static, or Dynamic entries from the Filtering Database.  
Note that although configuration changes will appear in the window, no action  
actually takes place in the bridge’s Filtering Database until you click on the OK  
button in the bottom right of the window. This saves the new configuration. If you  
change the window without clicking OK, then attempt to exit the window by  
clicking Cancel, a text box will appear stating “Changes have been made. Cancel  
them?”. Click on Yes to exit the window without changing the Filtering Database,  
or No to return to the window.  
When you reconfigure the Filtering Database and click OK, the screen will clear  
temporarily and a message will appear to indicate that the information is being updated.  
When the changes have been successfully set and the Filtering Database has updated, the  
screen information will be refreshed.  
NOTE  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
Altering the Ageing Time  
To alter the Ageing Time for Dynamic and Learned entries:  
1. Highlight the Ageing Time field with the cursor.  
2. Type in the new Ageing Time (allowable range is 10 to 1,000,000 seconds).  
Changing the Type of Entry  
You can change any entry type from its current type (Learned, Self, Permanent,  
Static, or Dynamic) to either a Permanent, Static, or Dynamic entry. To do so:  
1. Click on the shadowed Type button. A menu will appear with the three  
possible types to which the entry can be changed.  
2. Highlight the desired type.  
Changing the Receive Port  
You can change the Receive port of an address entry in the scrollable panel, so  
that a frame must be received at the specified port for the filtering action to apply.  
To do so, click on the Receive port in the panel. With each click, the Receive port  
will cycle to the next port — from (promiscuous), to 1, to 2, and back to .  
*
*
Changing the Port Filtering Action  
You can change the Port Filtering action at each bridge port from its current action  
to the opposing action.  
1. Maneuver the scroll bar until the desired port is in the Port Filtering panel.  
2. Click on the port to alter its filtering action from forwarding frames from the  
associated address (  
), to filtering frames (  
) (or vice versa).  
Adding or Deleting Individual Entries  
You can add or delete entries individually from the Filtering Database.  
To add an address:  
1. Click on the New button in the lower left of the window. A window  
(Figure 5-11) will appear.  
Figure 5-11. Filter Database – New Filter Window  
5-26  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
2. In the Filter Address field, type in the address (Hex format) for which you  
desire bridging. Be sure to add “-” as a separator between each byte in the  
address.  
3. In the Receive Port field, type in the port at which the address must be  
detected for bridging to take place. If you enter a value of 0 in this field, the  
Receive Port is considered promiscuous (i.e., any port), and will be  
designated by an * in the Address Entry panel.  
4. Click on OK.  
5. Specify the Port Filtering action on the address entry as described in the  
previous section.  
To delete an address:  
1. Click to highlight the address entry in the Address Entry panel that you wish to  
delete from the filtering database.  
2. Click on Delete.  
Clearing All Permanent, Static, or Dynamic Entries  
To erase all Permanent, Static, or Dynamic entries from the Filtering Database,  
click on the associated button in the upper portion of the window.  
Filtering Database  
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Bridging  
5-28  
Filtering Database  
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Index  
Delta 4-10  
A
Designated Bridge 5-14, 5-18  
Designated Cost 5-18  
Designated Port 5-14, 5-18  
Designated Root 5-18  
Detect 4-3  
Absolute 4-10  
ACT (active) 2-11  
Address Mode 4-8  
Ageing Time (bridging) 5-22, 5-24  
ATM 3-1  
device date 2-21  
Device Menu 2-5  
Device Name 1-3  
device time 2-20  
Device Type 2-13  
B
BLK (Blocking) 2-10  
Blocking 5-3, 5-5  
Board Menus 2-7  
Directed 4-3  
Boot Prom, revision 2-3  
bridge port state 5-3  
Bridge Priority 5-15  
Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) 5-14  
bridging interface status 5-2  
BRK 2-10  
DIS (Disabled) 2-10  
DIS (disabled) 2-11  
disable a bridge port 5-5  
disabling a port 2-22  
Discarded packets 2-18, 5-12  
dual-homing 4-6  
Broken 5-3  
buffer space 2-18, 5-12  
Dynamic entries 5-22  
E
C
enable a bridge port 5-5  
enabling a port 2-22  
Encapsulation Type 3-3  
Cabletron Systems Global Call Center 1-5  
Cancel button 1-4  
channel trunking 3-3  
claim token process 4-4  
CMT 4-1, 4-5  
F
FDDI connection rules 4-6  
Forwarded from 5-10  
Forwarded to 5-10  
Forwarding 5-3, 5-5  
Forwarding Delay 5-17  
Frame Errors 4-11  
Frames Filtered 5-8  
Frames Forwarded 5-7  
FWD (Forwarding) 2-10  
color codes 2-12  
color-coded port display 2-2  
command buttons 1-4  
Concentrator M Ports 4-5  
Concentrator Non-M Ports 4-5  
Configuration window 4-2  
Connection Management 4-1, 4-5  
Connection Policy window 4-6  
connection rules 4-6  
Connection State 2-11  
Connection Status 2-3  
Cumulative 4-10  
G
GETTING HELP 1-4  
Global Call Center 1-5  
grouping of virtual connections 3-3  
D
data loops 5-3, 5-14  
Index-1  
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Index  
Not Available 4-3  
Number of MACs 4-5  
Number of Nodes 4-8  
H
Hello Time 5-17  
Help button 1-4  
Help Menu 2-7  
Hold Time 5-17  
O
OK button 1-4  
I
I/F Summary  
P
interface performance statistics 2-15  
I/F Summary window 2-14  
Interface Group window 2-17  
interface type (bridging) 5-3  
IP address 1-3, 2-3  
P. Sta 2-15  
Packets Received 2-19, 5-12  
Packets Transmitted 2-19, 5-12  
Path Cost 5-18  
Performance window 4-10  
Permanent entries 5-22  
Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) 3-1  
port display, color codes 2-2  
Port Filtering 5-25  
Port Menus 2-8  
Port Status 2-3  
port status color codes 2-12  
Port Status Menu 2-6  
Priority 5-17  
Isolated 4-3  
L
L. Sta 2-15  
Learned Database 5-21  
Learned entries 5-22  
Learning 5-3, 5-5  
LER Estimate 2-11  
LER Estimate Values 2-11  
LIS (Listening) 2-10  
Listening 5-3, 5-5  
Load 2-16  
Protocol, bridging 5-16  
R
Location 1-4  
Lost Frames 4-11  
LRN (Learning) 2-10  
Rate 2-17  
Raw Counts 2-16  
Receive Frames 4-11  
Receive Port 5-25  
Requested Target Token Rotation Time 4-4  
Ring Configuration 4-5  
Ring Management 4-1  
Ring Ops 4-11  
Ring-Op 4-3  
Ring-Op-Dup 4-3  
RMT 4-1  
M
MAC 4-1  
MAC address 1-4, 2-3  
MAC Path 4-5  
MAC State 4-3  
Master (M) port 4-5  
Max Age 5-17  
Media Access Control 4-1  
menu structure 2-4  
MIB components 2-12  
Module type 2-13  
Root Bridge 5-14, 5-16  
Root Bridge selection process 5-14  
Root Cost 5-16  
Root Port 5-14, 5-16  
S
N
SBY (standby) 2-11  
Set button 1-4  
network topology 5-14  
Node Class 4-9  
Non-Op 4-3  
SMT Connection Policy 4-6  
SMT Version 4-4  
Source Address Table (bridging) 5-21  
Source Port 5-24  
Non-Op-Dup 4-3  
Non-Unicast 2-18  
Non-Unicast (Multicast) 5-11  
Index-2  
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Index  
Spanning Tree Algorithm 5-14  
Static Database 5-21  
Static entries 5-22  
Station List 4-8  
Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) 3-1  
T
technical support 1-5  
T-Neg. 4-4  
Topology 4-9  
Topology Change 5-18  
Trace 4-3  
Transmit Frames 4-11  
Transmit Queue Size 2-19, 5-12  
transparent bridges 5-21  
T-Req. 4-4  
twisted ring 4-6  
U
Unicast 2-18, 5-11  
Unknown Protocol 2-18, 5-12  
Up Time 2-15, 5-3  
Upstream Neighbor 4-9  
UpTime 2-3  
Utilities Menu 2-7  
V
VC MUX 802.3 Bridging 3-3, 3-5  
Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) 3-3  
Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) 3-3  
W
wrapped ring 4-6  
X
Xmitted 5-8  
Index-3  
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Index  
Index-4  
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