User guide

MR9600-100 User Guide
8 CommPlete Communications Server
The difference between switched Ethernet (10Mbps, 100Mbps, or both) and traditional Ethernet is
analogous to the difference between a private phone line and a party line. With switched Ethernet, each
workgroup has a “private line” so that transmitted packets don’t have to wait as long to gain access to the
network. When connected to a switched port, each Ethernet segment has full “wire-speed” access, so a
switch effectively divides a single Ethernet LAN into bridged multiple LAN segments. Each segment can
support a workgroup or even provide a dedicated connection for a key workstation or server. The result of
dividing an Ethernet LAN into multiple segments is a multiplication of internal bandwidth available to all
stations on the LAN and a reduction in latency rates during peak-use periods.
Benefits of Switching
Ethernet switching technology drastically increases the total bandwidth of a LAN. It also provides
configuration flexibility to local workgroups which allows the network administrator to better control how
network resources are distributed against network load. Switching helps reduce the congestion problems
inherent in the contention-oriented CSMA/CD protocol, thereby improving network response during high
utilization periods.
Also, currently popular distributed client/server applications often require higher bandwidth and tighter
client-to-server integration. Legacy 10Mbps Ethernet often is unable to provide a sufficiently
sophisticated platform for users to be able to take full advantage of such client/server applications.
Fast Ethernet switching not only satisfies both technical and business needs, it also preserves the current
investment in the huge 10BASE-T Ethernet installed base. Compatibility with 10Mbps Ethernet ensures
that users will be able to migrate to Fast Ethernet at a pace appropriate to their installation and needs.
10/100 Switching Technology
An integral extension of Fast Ethernet, 10/100 switching provides not only a 100Mbps high-speed
connection for carrying aggregated 10Mbps traffic, it also handles the necessary conversion of the MAC
layer between 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX. Combining Fast Ethernet and switching technologies provides
both bandwidth for local workgroups and a high-speed link to carry local traffic elsewhere in the network.