Switching Functionality - GE Multilink ML810 Instruction Manual

GE Energy
Multilink ML810
Ethernet Communications Switch
Chapter 4: Operation
Operation
This chapter describes the functions and operation of the Multilink ML810 Switch.
4.1

Switching Functionality

A Multilink ML810 provides switched connectivity at Ethernet wire-speed among all of its
ports. The Multilink ML810 supports10/100Mbs for copper media and 100Mb separate
traffic domains for fiber ports to maximize bandwidth utilization and network
performance. All ports can communicate to all other ports in a Multilink ML810, but local
traffic on a port will not consume any of the bandwidth on any other port.
The Multilink ML810 units are plug-and-play devices. There is no software configuring
necessary to be done for basic operation at installation or for maintenance. There is an
optional Half / Full duplex mode and 10Mbps or 100Mbps selection for the switched ports
which must be configured through MNS software per unit as per the requirement. The
internal functions of both are described below.
Filtering and Forwarding
Each time a packet arrives on one of the switched ports, the decision is taken to either filter
or to forward the packet. Packets whose source and destination addresses are on the
same port segment will be filtered, constraining them to that one port and relieving the
rest of the network from having to process them. A packet whose destination address is on
another port segment will be forwarded to the appropriate port, and will not be sent to the
other ports where it is not needed. Traffic needed for maintaining the un-interrupted
operation of the network (such as occasional multi-cast packets) is forwarded to all ports.
The Multilink ML810 Switches operate 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.
Address Learning
All Multilink ML810 units have address table capacities of 8K node addresses suitable for
use in larger networks. They are self-learning, so as nodes are added, removed or moved
from one segment to another, the ML810 Switch automatically keeps up with node
locations.
An address-aging algorithm causes least-used addresses to fall out in favor for frequently-
used addresses. To reset the address buffer, cycle power down-and-up.
MULTILINK ML810 MANAGED EDGE SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 4–1