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The Host engine sends and receives packets via the CPU's SmartSwitch ASIC
Interface. This allows the bridge to perform spanning tree protocol and other
bridging functions. The SMB Interfaces provide communication to the Host
Engine for management functions.
INB NIB
Each module that attaches to the Internal Network Bus (INB) has an INB Network
Interface Block (NIB). The INB NIB converts canonical frames to fixed length data
blocks for transmission onto the INB. For data blocks received from the INB, the
INB NIB reassembles the data blocks back into canonical frames for transmission
to the SmartSwitch ASIC.
System Management Buses
There are two management channels within the SmartSwitch 9000 system: the
SMB-1 and the SMB-10. These buses provide side-band management and inter-
module management communication.
SMB-1 Bus
The SMB-1 is a 1Mbs management bus located within the SmartSwitch 9000. This
bus is utilized by all diagnostic controllers in the system including connectivity
modules, power supply modules and the environmental module. The SMB-1
transports inter-chassis information between system components, such as power
and environmental information, as well as diagnostic messages. Periodic
loop-back tests are performed by all modules that share this bus to ensure the
validity of SMB-1. In the event a failure is detected on SMB-1, the SMB-10 may be
used as an alternate communication channel.
SMB-10 Bus
The SMB-10 is a 10Mbs management bus located within the SmartSwitch 9000.
This bus is used for inter-chassis communication of modules as well as serving as
an side-band management channel into the SmartSwitch 9000.
The SMB-10 is externalized from the chassis via an optional Ethernet Port
Interface Module (EPIM) located on the front of the Environmental Module.
Through an EPIM connection, full SNMP management of the SmartSwitch 9000 is
available side-band from user data. Modules that share the SMB-10 bus
periodically send out loop-back packets to ensure the validity of SMB-10. If a fault
is detected on the SMB-10, the SMB-1 can be used as an alternate communication
channel by the modules.
Operation
3-3
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