N
P
ETWORK
LANNING
Collapsed Backbone
This switch is an excellent choice for mixed Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and
Gigabit Ethernet installations where significant growth is expected in the
near future. In a basic stand-alone configuration, it can provide direct
full-duplex connections for up to 28 workstations or servers. You can
easily build on this basic configuration, adding direct full-duplex
connections to workstations or servers. When the time comes for further
expansion, just connect to another hub or switch using one of the Gigabit
Ethernet ports built into the front panel, or a Gigabit Ethernet port on a
plug-in SFP transceiver.
In the figure below, the switch is operating as a collapsed backbone for a
small LAN. It is providing dedicated 100 Mbps full-duplex connections to
workstations, and 1 Gbps full-duplex connections to servers
8.7A
8.7A
...
Servers
1 Gbps
Full Duplex
2-2
Mgmt
Mgmt
...
Figure 2-1 Collapsed Backbone
Mgmt
Mgmt
...
Workstations
100 Mbps
Full Duplex