Owner`s manual

1–4 DEChub 900 MultiSwitch Owner’s Manual
DEChub 900 MultiSwitch Hub Description
The DEChub 900 MultiSwitch hub implements a management architecture designed
to manage multiple local area networks (LANs) using the Simple Network Manage-
ment Protocol (SNMP) integrated into the chassis’s Hub Manager.
The DEChub 900 MultiSwitch hub backplane (see Figure 1–2) contains two inde-
pendent Token Ring channels, one dedicated Ethernet channel, and one flexible
channel on the top row of connectors. The bottom row of connectors provides 14
flexible channels for full-height modules.
The multiple flexible channels can be used to create independent LAN segments
within the hub. Using HUBwatch, network modules can be linked to LAN segments
and to share data between them.
The use of the flexible channels on the chassis is dependent on the network modules
installed in the hub. Specific implementations allow these channels to be used for
FDDI, Ethernet, and Token Ring. The Hub Manager allocates these technology inde-
pendent flexible channels to modules as needed, to provide for backplane intercon-
nect needs. Channels may be supported as a bus for shared use (like Ethernet) or
cascaded for LANs requiring ring-like implementations.
The chassis can be configured for up to eight network modules and four power sup-
ply modules. The network modules may be installed, in any combination, in slots1 to
8. Figure 1–3 and the list that follows it show the MultiSwitch chassis and describe its
components.
The chassis provides all the power and interconnect signals to each network module
through a backplane connector. The network modules and power supply modules
can be installed or swapped with the power on. This is referred to as a hot swap. Hot
swapping allows for upgrades, modifications, or replacement of modules without
interruption to other users on the hub.