Tyco SafeLINC 4100U Manual Do Utilizador

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The 4100 can be expanded to a network system by using network interface cards (NICs). 
When a NIC is installed into a 4100 host panel, it is used to connect to other network 
nodes. Nodes may consist of other host 4100 panels, or they may be completely different: 
Graphical Command Centers (GCCs), and Visual Command Centers (VCCs) are all 
examples of what could be used as nodes. A node is a self-sufficient CPU that controls 
appliances and devices, which also has the capability of controlling and communicating 
with other nodes. 
 
The network configuration supports two prevalent architectures (or wiring 
configurations): hub (or ring), or star. A networked system can also use a combination of 
the two.   
 
The hub configuration consists of a main loop with nodes connected in a radial manner. 
The star configuration consists of several nodes connected directly to one common node. 
Physical bridge cards are used for the star configuration. Physical bridges reduce the 
amount of wire that would otherwise be needed to connect all nodes in a loop, and 
therefore cut down on system response time. A combination of the two styles is illustrated 
in Figure 1-3. 
 
 
Ring Topology
Physical Bridge Links
 
(Star Topology)
 
Graphic Command
Center (GCC)
Network Display Unit
(NDU) Hub Node
Distributed Remote
Node Locations
 
Figure 1-3.  Hub/Ring Configuration 
Continued on next page 
Network Configuration 
Overview 
Hub and Star 
Configurations