Overview; Scope; Product Concept - NETGEAR GSM7212 - ProSafe Switch Cli Reference Manual

The 7200 Series Managed Switch software has two purposes:
• Assist attached hardware in switching frames, based on Layer 2, 3, or 4 information
contained in the frames.
• Provide a complete device management portfolio to the network administrator.

2.1 Scope

7200 Series Managed Switch software encompasses both hardware and software support.
It software is partitioned to run in the following processors:
• CPU—This code runs the networking device management portfolio and controls the
overall networking device hardware. It also assists in frame forwarding, as needed and
specified. This code is designed to run on multiple platforms with minimal changes
from platform to platform.
• Networking Device Processor—This code does the majority of the packet switching,
usually at wire speed. This code is platform dependent, and substantial changes might
exist across products.

2.2 Product Concept

Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switching continues to evolve from high-end backbone
applications to desktop switching applications. The price of the technology continues to
decline, while performance and feature sets continue to improve. Devices that are capable
of switching Layers 2, 3, and 4 are increasingly in demand. 7200 Series Managed Switch
software provides a flexible solution to these ever-increasing needs.
The exact functionality provided by each networking device on which the 7200 Series
Managed Switch software base runs varies depending upon the platform and requirements
of NETGEAR.

Overview

v1.0, February 2007
Chapter 2
Overview
2-1