User Manual
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Switching, Filtering, and Forwarding 
Each time a packet arrives at one of the switched ports, a decision is 
made to either filter or forward the packet. Packets with source and 
destination addresses belonging to the same port segment will be filtered, 
constraining those packets to one port, and relieving the rest of the 
network from the need to process them. A packet with destination 
address on another port segment will be forwarded to the appropriate 
port, and will not be sent to ports where it is not needed. Packets that are 
used in maintaining the operation of the network (such as the occasional 
multi-cast packet) are forwarded to all ports. The EDS operates in the 
store-and-forward switching mode, which eliminates bad packets and 
enables peak performance to be achieved when there is heavy traffic on 
the network. 
Switching and Address Learning 
The EDS has an address table that can hold up to 1024 addresses, which 
makes it suitable for use with large networks. The address tables are 
self-learning, so that as nodes are added or removed, or moved from one 
segment to another, the EDS automatically keeps up with new node 
locations. An address-aging algorithm causes the least-used addresses to 
be deleted in favor of newer, more frequently used addresses. To reset 
the address buffer, power down the unit and then power it back up. 
Auto-Negotiation and Speed Sensing 
All of the EDS’s RJ45 Ethernet ports independently support 
auto-negotiation for speeds in the 10BaseT and 100BaseTX modes, with 
operation according to the IEEE 802.3u standard. This means that some 
nodes could be operating at 10 Mbps, while at the same time, other nodes 
are operating at 100 Mbps. Auto-negotiation takes place when an RJ45 
cable connection is made, and then each time a LINK is enabled. The EDS 
advertises its capability for using either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps 
transmission speeds, with the device at the other end of the cable 
expected to advertise in a similar manner. Depending on what type of 
device is connected, this will result in agreement to operate at a speed of 
either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. If an EDS RJ45 Ethernet port is connected to 
a non-negotiating device, it will default to 10 Mbps speed and half-duplex 
mode, as required by the IEEE 802.3u standard. 
Specifications 
Technology 
Standards 
IEEE 802.3 for 10BaseT, 
IEEE 802.3u for 100BaseT(X) and 100BaseFX,
IEEE 802.3x for Flow Control 
Processing Type 
Store and Forward 
Flow Control 
IEEE 802.3x flow control, back pressure flow 
control 
Interface 
RJ45 Ports  10/100BaseT(X) auto negotiation speed, F/H 
duplex mode, and auto MDI/MDI-X 
connection 
Fiber Ports 
100BaseFX ports (SC/ST connector, 
multi/single-mode) 










