Title Page NB30 User’s Guide
Notice Cabletron Systems reserves the right to make changes in speciÞcations and other information contained in this document without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult Cabletron Systems to determine whether any such changes have been made. The hardware, Þrmware, or software described in this manual is subject to change without notice.
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Contents Chapter 1 Introduction Using the NB-30 Bridge UserÕs Guide ....................................................................... 1-1 Related Manuals............................................................................................................ 1-2 Software Conventions .................................................................................................. 1-3 Using the Mouse ..................................................................................................
Contents Ethernet and Remote Port Packet Discarded Statistics ........................... 3-17 Bridge Spanning Tree.................................................................................................. 3-17 Bridge Level Parameters ..................................................................................... 3-19 Bridge Port Level Parameters............................................................................. 3-21 ConÞguring Spanning Tree..........................................
Chapter 1 Introduction How to use this guide; related guides; software conventions; getting help; NB-30 Bridge firmware version Welcome to the SPECTRUM Element Manager for the NB-30 UserÕs Guide. We have designed this guide to serve as a simple reference for using SPECTRUM Element Manager for the NB-30 Bridge. The NB-30 series bridge is a protocol-independent remote bridge that transparently connects two remote Ethernet LAN segments via a DDS, full T1/E1, or fractional T1 link.
Introduction Chapter 1, Introduction, provides a list of related documentation, describes certain software conventions, and shows you how to contact Cabletron Systems Technical Support.
Introduction Software Conventions SPECTRUM Element ManagerÕs device 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 speciÞc windows and/or functions.
Introduction ¥ Double-clicking means to position the mouse pointer over the indicated target, then press and release the mouse button two times in rapid succession. This is commonly used to activate an objectÕs default operation, such as opening a window from an icon. Note that there is a distinction made between Òclick twiceÓ and Òdouble-click,Ó since Òclick twiceÓ implies a slower motion.
Introduction IP Address Displays the deviceÕs IP (Internet Protocol) Address; this will be the IP address used to deÞne the device icon. IP addresses are assigned via Local Management for the NB-30; they cannot be changed via SPECTRUM Element Manager. MAC Address Displays the manufacturer-set MAC address of the port through which SPECTRUM Element Manager is communicating with the NB-30 Bridge. This address is factory-set and cannot be altered.
Introduction Getting Help This section describes 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 NB-30 Bridge window Help buttons to obtain information speciÞc to the device. 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.
Introduction 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: (603) 332-9400 24 hours a day, 365 days a year By mail: Cabletron Systems, Inc. PO Box 5005 Rochester, NH 03866-5005 By Internet mail: support@ctron.
Introduction 1-8 NB-30 Bridge Firmware
Chapter 2 The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View Information displayed in the Chassis View window; the logical chassis view; the Chassis Manager window; bridge management functions The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View window is the main screen that immediately informs you of the current condition of individual ports on your bridge via a graphical display. The Chassis View window also serves as a single point of access to all other NB-30 Bridge windows and screens, which are discussed at length in the following chapters.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View Viewing Chassis Information The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View window (Figure 2-2) provides a graphic representation of the NB-30 Bridge, including a color-coded port display which immediately informs you of the current status of bridging at each port. Figure 2-2.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View Front Panel Information The areas surrounding the main port display area provide the following device information: IP The Internet Protocol address assigned to the NB-30 appears in the title bar of the Chassis View window; this will display the IP address you have used to create the NB-30 icon. IP addresses are assigned via Local Management.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View Date The current date, in an mm/dd/yyyy format, set in the NB-30 BridgeÕs internal clock. NOTES You can set the date and time by using the Edit Device Date and Edit Device Time options on the Device menu; see Setting the Device Date and Time, page 2-8, for details. In accordance with Year 2000 compliance requirements, SPECTRUM Element Manager now displays and allows you to set all dates with four-digit year values.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View The Device Menu From the Device Menu at the Chassis View window menu bar, you can access the following selections: ¥ Device Type..., which displays a window containing a description of the device being modeled: NB-30 - Remote Bridge. ¥ System Group..., which allows you to manage the NB-30 Bridge via SNMP MIB II. Refer to the Generic SNMP UserÕs Guide for further information. ¥ Bridge Status...
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View The NB-30 Bridge Port Status Display Each port display on the NB-30 will indicate that portÕs current bridging state: FWD (Forwarding) (Green) The port is on line and forwarding packets across the NB-30 from one network segment to another. DIS (Disabled) (Blue) Bridging at the port has been disabled by management; no trafÞc can be received or forwarded on this port, including conÞguration information for the bridged topology.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View The NB-30 does not support MIB Components. The MIBs which provide the NB-30 Bridge’s functionality — both proprietary MIBs and IETF RFCs — are listed here Figure 2-4. Chassis Manager Window Viewing Hardware Types In addition to the graphical displays described above, choosing the Device Type option on the Device menu brings up a window that describes the management device being modeled: Figure 2-5.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View Setting the Device Date and Time The Device menu provides access to two methods for changing the date and time stored in the deviceÕs internal clock: you can select the Edit Device Time and Edit Device Date options from the menu itself, or you can use the I-bar cursor at the appropriate Þeld in the Bridge Status window; see Chapter 3, NB-30 Bridging, for more information. To edit the device time: 1.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View 2. Enter the new date in an mm/dd/yyyy 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. 3. Click on OK to save the changes, or on Cancel to exit without changes. NOTE In accordance with Year 2000 compliance requirements, SPECTRUM Element Manager now displays and allows you to set all dates with four-digit year values.
The NB-30 Bridge Chassis View 2-10 Managing the Bridge
Chapter 3 NB-30 Bridging Bridge management overview; viewing and managing bridging interfaces; using the Bridge Status window; viewing bridge statistics; using Spanning Tree; using the Filtering Database; Restoring bridge defaults; Resetting bridge defaults; Restarting the bridge. Bridging Basics Bridges are used in local area networks to connect two or more network segments and to control the ßow of packets between the segments.
NB-30 Bridging About Transparent Bridging Transparent bridges are most common in Ethernet networks. Individual Transparent bridges monitor packet trafÞc on attached network segments to learn where end stations reside in relation to each segment by mapping the Source Address of each received frame to the port (and segment) it was detected on. This information gets stored in the bridgeÕs Filtering Database.
NB-30 Bridging ¥ The Spanning Tree window shows bridge port information and protocol parameters relating to the Spanning Tree AlgorithmÑthe method of determining the controlling bridge when a series of bridges are placed in parallel (see Bridge Spanning Tree, page 3-17). ¥ With the Filtering Database window, you can see the contents of the Permanent and Acquired databases Ñ the two address databases which construct the bridgeÕs Source Address Table.
NB-30 Bridging Bridge Location Bridge Port Status Bridge Interface Name Bridge Segment Name Edit Date/Time fields Figure 3-1. The NB-30 Bridge Status Window The following information is provided by the Bridge Status window for the NB-30 and for each individual bridging interface. 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 NB-30 was last reset or initialized.
NB-30 Bridging Bridge State on Interface This color-coded text box indicates the state of bridging over the port interface. Note that this state (and its corresponding color code) will also be reßected on the NB-20E/25E Port display in the Chassis View window. Possible bridge states and their corresponding colors are: FWD (Forwarding) (Green) The port is on-line and forwarding packets across the NB-20E/25E from one network segment to another.
NB-30 Bridging Bridge Status on Remote Port Interface This color-coded text box indicates the operating status of the remote port. Possible status conditions are: 3-6 ¥ LINK OK/DCE READY (green) Ñ Indicates that communication between the remote port and the data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) is established and ready to transfer data. ¥ NET LOOP/LINK OK (green) Ñ Indicates that the port is looped towards the network and that the port is ready for transmission.
NB-30 Bridging ¥ NO EXT CLOCK (blue) Ñ Indicates that the remote port is not receiving a clock signal from the DCE. Interface Name This settable information Þeld allows you to enter a name for the bridgeÕs active local port and its remote port. The default name for the bridgeÕs two network interfaces are ETHERNET PORT and REMOTE PORT, respectively. To assign a new name to an interface: 1. Click on the I-bar cursor ( ) to the right of the Interface Name field. The Bridge Port Name text box will appear. 2.
NB-30 Bridging Accessing Bridge Status Window Options At the top of the Bridge Status window, you can click on Bridge to access a menu that provides other bridge management options: ¥ The Spanning Tree window, which allows you to set the Spanning Tree Algorithm parameters for bridging on your NB-30 (see Bridge Spanning Tree, page 3-17). ¥ The Disable/Enable Bridge options, which allow you to suspend or resume bridge operations (see Enabling and Disabling Bridging, page 3-8).
NB-30 Bridging You can also disable bridging across all ports or on your NB-30 from the Chassis View window. To disable bridging at the device level from the Chassis View window: 1. Click on the Board Index (1) in the front panel display. A menu will appear. 2. Click on Enable Bridge to restart bridging at the device level, or Disable Bridge to halt bridging across the entire device.
NB-30 Bridging To access the NB-30 port Bridge Performance Graph window: 1. From the Bridge Status window, click on the appropriate port button (Ethernet or Remote). The Port menu will appear. 2. Click on Performance Graph.... The NB-30 port Bridge Performance Graph window will appear. NOTE The graphic displayed in Figure 3-2 is a device-level window; the window that is displayed at the port level is virtually identical. Figure 3-2.
NB-30 Bridging Device Errors The total number of frames (either inbound or outbound) containing errors which prevented them from being processed by the bridgeÕs interfaces. Nothing The selected scale is not currently in use. For the port level window, you can choose from among the following display options. Note that some of these options are available only for the local Ethernet port or only for the remote port, as indicated in the Þeld deÞnitions below.
NB-30 Bridging Out of Window Coll. (Ethernet Port Only) The number of collisions at this port that were out of the standard collision window (51.2µs) due to a network problem experienced by the bridge. The problem may be that the network length exceeds speciÞcations, or that a node is transmitting without listening for carrier sense. CRC Errors The total number of frames received by the port that had Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) errors.
NB-30 Bridging 2. Click on the desired frames mode: For the Bridge Performance Graph, the options are Frames Forwarded, Frames Received, Frames Filtered, Device Errors, or Nothing. For the Ethernet Port Performance Graph, the options are Frames Received, Discarded Inbound, Forwarded Outbound, Lack of Buffer Space, Trans. Exceeded, Collisions, Trans. Aborted, Out of Window Coll., CRC Errors, Frame Alignments, Giant Packets, Total Errors, or Nothing.
NB-30 Bridging The following color-coded Þelds appear in the Bridge Summary Statistics window. The Þrst four statistics Þelds are also represented visually by a color-coded pie chart (green = forwarded packets, blue = Þltered packets, red = error packets, magenta = other packets). Packets Forwarded (Green) The number of good packets forwarded across the bridge by both ports on the network. Packets Filtered (Blue) The number of good packets Þltered by both ports on the bridge.
NB-30 Bridging Figure 3-4. Ethernet Port Statistics Window To access the remote port Statistics window: 1. Click on Remote to reveal the Port menu. 2. Choose Statistics.... The following window, Figure 3-5, will appear. Figure 3-5.
NB-30 Bridging Port Packet Statistics The following statistics Þelds appear in the Ethernet and Remote Port Statistics windows under the heading ÒPackets.Ó These are also graphically displayed in the pie chart (with the exception of Packets Received). Note that the Remote Port Statistics window does not record Packets Filtered. Packets Forwarded (Green) The number of good packets forwarded by the selected port.
NB-30 Bridging CRC The total number of frames received by the port that had Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) errors. Framing The number of frames received by the port from the network that were misaligned Ñ that is, in which a byte of data in the packet contained less than 8 bits. Giants The number of frames that were received by the port which were too large for the network. A giant exceeds the maximum Ethernet frame size of 1518 bytes (excluding preamble).
NB-30 Bridging In Transparent bridging, Spanning Tree must be used to prevent data loops (since in an Ethernet environment, a packet propagated down multiple paths would cause higher volumes of trafÞc and collisions that would cripple a network that relied on carrier sense and collision detection).
NB-30 Bridging Bridge Level Parameters Bridge Priority This Þeld displays the ÒpriorityÓ component of the NB-30Õs unique bridge identiÞer. The Spanning Tree Algorithm assigns each bridge a unique identiÞer, which is derived from the bridgeÕs MAC address and the Priority. The bridge with the lowest value of bridge identiÞer is selected as the Root. A lower priority number indicates a higher priority; a higher priority enhances a bridgeÕs chance of being selected as the Root.
NB-30 Bridging Protocol Displays the Spanning Tree Algorithm Protocol type the NB-30 is currently using. The choices are: ¥ ¥ ¥ 802.1 DEC (DEC Lanbridge 100) None The following four Þelds display values used for various Spanning Tree timers that are set at the Root Bridge and this bridge.
NB-30 Bridging Bridge Port Level Parameters The following Þelds are applicable to each bridge port on the NB-30. 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 ConÞguration BPDUs received at each port. In this case, the BPDUÕs Port ID information Ñ the transmitting portÕs identiÞer and its manageable Priority component Ñ is used to determine which is the Designated Port for that segment.
NB-30 Bridging Topology This indicates how many times the bridgeÕs Topology Change ßag has been changed since the NB-30 was last powered-up or initialized. The Topology Change ßag increments each time a bridge enters or leaves the network, or when the Root Bridge ID changes. The Þeld also indicates the date and time at which the topology last changed. Configuring Spanning Tree The Bridge Spanning Tree window allows you to update the following parameters for your NB-30 bridge.
NB-30 Bridging ! 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 conÞguration BPDUs: 1. Highlight the Hello Time field, and type in a new value. 2. Click on Set. The IEEE 802.
NB-30 Bridging Changing Port Priority To change the part of the Port Priority used in priority comparisons: 1. Highlight the port Priority field for the desired port, and enter the new priority identifier. Only valid hexadecimal numbers (0 to FF) are allowed in this field. The default is 80 hexadecimal. 2. Click on Set. The new port priority will be saved. Changing Path Cost To change the Path Cost: 1.
NB-30 Bridging Entries to the Source Address Table are one of four types: Permanent, Static, Dynamic, or Learned. ¥ Permanent entries are addresses that you add to the Static Database (via the Filtering Database window) that are stored in the deviceÕs battery-backed RAM. Since they remain in the device on shutdown or restart, they are considered ÒPermanent.Ó ¥ Static entries are addresses that you add to the Static Database (via the Filtering Database window).
NB-30 Bridging Figure 3-7. The Filtering Database Window The following Þelds are listed in the top portion of the Filtering Database window. Type Indicates the type of entry in the database: Static, Dynamic, or Permanent. Number Displays the current number of Static, Dynamic, and Permanent address entries. Capacity Indicates the total capacity of each entry type in the Static and Learned databases.
NB-30 Bridging The following Þelds are applicable to the scrollable Address Entry panel of Filtering Database entries. List The List checkboxes at the bottom of the window indicate whether the associated entry type (Dynamic, Static, or Permanent) will be displayed in the scrollable table of address entries. A check next to the entry type indicates that it will be displayed. Address Lists the addresses for which the bridgeÕs Filtering Database has forwarding and/or Þltering information.
NB-30 Bridging Changing the Type of Entry You can change the type of any entry in the Þltering database to be a Static or Permanent 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. Dynamic entries can be changed to Permanent or Static entries. Static entries can be changed to Permanent entries.
NB-30 Bridging 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. Erasing Entries from the Permanent or Acquired Databases You can erase the entire Acquired or Permanent Databases (not including the 17 multicast address entries that are automatically entered in the Permanent Database on power-up). To do so: 1.
NB-30 Bridging Figure 3-9. Bridge DSX-1 Summary Window Configuring, Running, and Checking the Loopback Test To conÞgure and run the loopback test: 1. Click on Test Pattern. A menu will appear. 2. Click to select the appropriate data pattern option to be used in the loopback test: Alternating 1/0s All 1s All 0s Incrementing Data The selected test pattern will display next to the menu button. 3. To initiate the loopback test, click on Loop Test. The test will begin.
NB-30 Bridging To halt a test in progress and return to the Bridge Status window, click on Cancel. The results of the test will be displayed in the status Þeld next to the test button: ¥ Not in Loopback Ñ Indicates that the DSX-1 port is currently in normal operating condition; a loopback test is not being performed. ¥ Loopback in Progress Ñ The DSX-1 port is undergoing a test. ¥ Network Loopback Ñ The remote port is currently looped toward the T1 link.
NB-30 Bridging ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ All Spanning Tree Algorithm information screens back to their default values. You must also restart the bridge for the new Spanning Tree information to take effect. Ageing Time on Filtering Database Screen back to 300 seconds DSX-1 Test Pattern to Alternate 1/0s DSX-1 Channel Assignment returns to all Enabled (read-only from remote management) The following operating parameters can only be accessed through Local Management or via the MIB Tools utility.
NB-30 Bridging Restarting the Bridge 3-33
NB-30 Bridging 3-34 Restarting the Bridge
Index A Acquired Database erasing 3-29 Address 3-27 Ageing Time 3-26, 3-27 B BLK (Blocking) 2-6, 3-5 Board Menus 2-5 Boot Prom, revision 2-3 Bridge Location 3-4 Port Address - Local Ethernet Port 3-7 Priority 3-19, 3-22 Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) 3-2, 3-18 Spanning Tree changing parameters 3-22 State on Ethernet Interface 3-5 State on Interface 3-5 Status 3-4 on Remote Port Interface 3-6 window 3-3 bridging state 2-6 BRK 2-6, 3-5 C Cabletron Systems Global Call Center 1-7 Cancel button 1-5 Capacity 3-26
Index Frame Alignments 3-12 Frames Filtered 3-10 Forwarded 3-10 Received 3-10, 3-11 FWD (Forwarding) 2-6, 3-5 G Getting Help 1-6 Giant Packets 3-12 Global Call Center 1-7 H Hello Time 3-20, 3-23 Help button 1-5, 1-6 Help Menu 2-5 Hold Time 3-20 I Interface Name 3-7 Interface Type 3-7 IP address 1-5, 2-3 L Lack of Buffer Space 3-11 Learned Database 3-24 Learned entries 3-25 LINK OK/DCE READY 3-6 LIS (Listening) 2-6, 3-5 List checkbox 3-27 LRN (Learning) 2-6, 3-5 M MAC address 1-5, 2-3 Max Age 3-20, 3-2
Index Protocol 3-20 R related documents 1-2 REM LOOP/LINK LOST 3-6 REM LOOP/LINK OK 3-6 REM LOOP/RED ALARM 3-6 REM LOOP/YELLOW ALARM 3-6 Reset Counters 3-32 Restart Bridge 3-32 Restore Defaults 3-31 Root Bridge 3-18, 3-19 selection process 3-18 Cost 3-19 Port 3-19 Priority 3-19 S Segment Name 3-7 Set button 1-5 Source Address Table 3-24 Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) 3-2 Protocol Type 3-20, 3-22 Spanning Tree window 3-3 STANDBY 3-4 Static Database 3-24 Static entries 3-25 Summary Statistics 3-13 T T1 Lin
Index Index-4
