Specifications

Introduction
5
devolo dLAN AVpro manager
1.2 dLAN 'peer-to-peer' and 'MDU' operating modes
There are two logical operating modes for dLANs. By default, dLANs are set up
in "peer-to-peer" operating mode. Alternatively, there is also the 'MDU' operat-
ing mode, which you can configure with dLAN AVpro manager.
a) In the dLAN peer-to-peer [P2P] operating mode, every dLAN device on the
dLAN can communicate with every other dLAN device on the same dLAN
directly.
Within a P2P network, all dLAN devices are equal to each another in the
hierarchy. In order to coordinate the communication between the individual
end points of the network, the dLAN devices in the P2P network automati-
cally determine the dLAN device which is easiest for all devices in this same
dLAN network to reach. This device takes on the role of the Central Coordi-
nator [CCo], which ensures efficient communication between the individual
end points [peers] in the P2P network.
In the graphic representation of the dLAN, the dLAN AVpro manager marks
the CCo device with a special symbol (see Chapter 7.3).
b) In the dLAN operating mode known as "Multiple Dwelling Unit" ["MDU"],
one or more dLAN devices are assigned as 'slaves' to a single dLAN device
as 'master', and together they form a shared, logical network segment. Each
of these "MDU" dLAN segments always contains exactly one master and 1
to 63 slaves which are assigned to the master. In MDU operating mode,
direct data communication is only between the slave and its master ["peer
isolation"], and never from slave to slave.