Product specifications

What Is the DIGITAL VNswitch 900FX?
1-2 Product Introduction
What Is the DIGITAL VNswitch 900FX?
The VNswitch 900FX (also referred to in this manual as the module) is a high-
throughput, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manageable, multiport
network switch for linking Fast Ethernet and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)
networks. The VNswitch 900FX module provides two Fast Ethernet ports and one
Dual Attachment Station (DAS) /Single Attachment Station (SAS) FDDI port.
The module supports the front-insertable Fast Ethernet (MM-100) and FDDI (Mod-
FDDI) cards, which are part of the Modular Media Interface (MMI) family. The
MM-100 card supports both 100BaseTX (UTP-5 with 8-pin MJ connectors) and
100BaseFX (multimode fiber-optics with SC connectors) Fast Ethernet media
standards. The Mod-FDDI card offers either multimode fiber or single-mode fiber on
SC-type connectors or unshielded twisted-pair, UTP-5 with 8-pin MJ connectors.
The module is auto-configured to connect to the 400 Mb/s VNbus, which provides
interoperability across the backplane with other VNswitch modules while maintaining
front panel connectivity. Alternatively, the module’s front-panel FDDI ports can be
redirected to a DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 (formerly DEChub 900 MultiSwitch)
backplane LAN segment to create a backplane LAN.
The VNswitch 900FX network module is a true backbone network switch that supports
complete filtering capabilities (including source address, destination address, protocol
type, and VLAN) for greater network control, increased security and bandwidth
utilization, and reduced propagation of network problems.
The module includes a large address table (approximately 8,000 entries) and is fully
IEEE 802.1d standards-compliant, ensuring high performance and packet integrity
required in large switched networks.
The VNswitch 900FX module also offers nonvolatile flash memory for easy, non-
disruptive upgrades of the device firmware using the Trivial File Transfer Protocol
(TFTP) load protocol. This eliminates the need to replace or upgrade hardware in the
future, and avoids the associated costs and disruption to network users.
You can install and configure the module in a DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 (also
referred to in this manual as a MultiSwitch 900) or as a standalone unit in a DEChub
ONE or DEChub ONE-MX docking station. (See the DEChub ONE Installation
manual or the DEChub ONE-MX Installation manual.) The module is fully
interoperable with other modules when installed in the MultiSwitch 900 (including
MultiSwitch 900 modules).