Cabletron Systems bridges Manuel D’Utilisation

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Introduction

Using This Guide ......................................................................................................................... 1-1
Document Organization ............................................................................................................. 1-2
Document Conventions .............................................................................................................. 1-3

Warnings and Notifications ................................................................................................ 1-3
Formats .................................................................................................................................. 1-3

Additional Assistance ................................................................................................................. 1-3
Related Documentation .............................................................................................................. 1-4

Review of Networking

Ethernet ......................................................................................................................................... 2-2
Fast Ethernet................................................................................................................................. 2-3
Token Ring .................................................................................................................................... 2-5

The Workgroup Approach

Standalones................................................................................................................................... 3-1

Standalones, the Original Networking Devices............................................................... 3-2
Management of Standalones............................................................................................... 3-3
Limitations of Standalones.................................................................................................. 3-3

Stackables...................................................................................................................................... 3-4

How Stacks Work ................................................................................................................. 3-5
Intelligence in the Stack ....................................................................................................... 3-6
Internetworking for Stacks.................................................................................................. 3-6
Limitations of Stacks ............................................................................................................ 3-7

PIMs and BRIMs

Port Interface Modules................................................................................................................ 4-1

Types of PIMs........................................................................................................................ 4-2

Bridge/Router Interface Modules............................................................................................. 4-8

Types of BRIMs ..................................................................................................................... 4-8

Contents