Chapter 1. Introduction; Product Overview; 8275-416 Functions; Layer 2 Switching - IBM 8275 User Manual

Chapter 1. Introduction

This chapter briefly describes the functions, capabilities, and benefits of the 8275
Model 416 High Performance Ethernet Workgroup Switch. This information helps
you to plan for and use the 8275-416 in your network.

Product Overview

Fast Ethernet switching continues to evolve from high-end backbone applications to
desktop switching applications. The 8275-416 provides a low cost and powerful
Layer 2 switch solution. It is an attractive base switch offering with the following key
functions:
v High performance, Layer 2, managed switch
v 16 base ports (10/100BASE-TX), expandable to 24 or 32 ports. The expansion
v Robust management support; VT100 terminal interface, Web interface, SNMP
v Backplane performance 10 Giga-bits per second Ethernet switching
v Desktop and segment switching infrastructure
v Affordable migration to higher performance networks
Network administrators have a choice of three easy-to-use management methods:
VT100 interface, Web-based, and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
These management methods enable the network administrator to configure,
manage, and control the 8275-416 locally or from anywhere on the network.
The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) provides fault tolerance on the network.

8275-416 Functions

This section describes the functional support included in the 8275-416 :
v Layer 2 switching
v Management and user interface
v Security
v Reliability and serviceability
v Performance
v Flow Control
v Y2K

Layer 2 Switching

The 8275-416 is a frame-based Layer 2 Ethernet switch. In a Layer 2 switch, frame
forwarding is based on MAC addresses. The 8275-416 supports the IEEE P802.1D
(1990) standard.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 1999
can be any combination of the following optional feature modules:
– 8-Port 10/100BASE-TX
– 8-Port 100BASE-FX
1