Chapter 1 Overview - 3Com 3C780 - LinkBuilder FDDI Base Unit User Manual

Chapter 1
Overview
The 3Com
Interface (FDDI) high-speed LAN technology to the desktop. (Throughout this
guide, the LinkBuilder FDDI Workgroup Hub will be referred to as "the hub.")
The hub supports remote management via Station Management (SMT) 7.3 or
Telnet protocol. Local management is provided via a console interface or a
modem attached to the management module's serial port. The SMT 7.3
standard specifies the format of management information so that it is consistent
with the object-oriented approach defined by OSI management standards. The
standard SMT Management Information Base (MIB) variables are present in the
LinkBuilder FDDI Workgroup Hub software.
A modular stand-alone device, the hub provides four module slots and a passive
backplane. When installed and equipped with the appropriate modules, the hub
can be connected to the FDDI backbone ring, to other FDDI hubs, and to other
stations. The RS-232–based console interface provides the capability to
configure and monitor the media port modules installed in the chassis.
The hub chassis contains an integrated internal power supply and a fan. It
requires a single management module and supports one to three media modules
for ring and station attachment.
The hub is an intelligent device with a unique FDDI MAC (Media Access
Control) address implemented with National Semiconductor
BMAC (FDDI Media Access Controller) technologies. In addition, National's
BSI (FDDI System Interface) implements an interface between the BMAC
device and the host system, providing a multiframe, MAC-level interface to one
or more MAC users. The hub's single MAC supports dual, single, or null
attachment and dual homing.
® ®
LinkBuilder FDDI Workgroup Hub brings Fiber Distributed Data
Overview
1-1
®
Corporation's