Station Management (Smt) Protocol; Features And Functions - 3Com 3C780 - LinkBuilder FDDI Base Unit User Manual

1-6 Overview
NOTE: In contrast to the PMD protocol, the PHY and MAC protocols are
media-independent; that is, the same protocols function regardless of the
medium being used (fiber, STP, or UTP).

Station Management (SMT) Protocol

The Station Management protocol is involved in network management and
monitoring for all layers of the FDDI stack. Every node on an FDDI ring
participates in the management of the ring. As such, all nodes exchange SMT
information to control network operation. SMT specifies the following:

Features and Functions

The LinkBuilder FDDI Workgroup Hub performs the following tasks in an
FDDI network:
Status of links between nodes
Error detection and fault isolation algorithms
Monitoring of all ring and station activities
Ring maintenance
Ring initialization, control, and performance
Connects end stations, bridges, routers, and other FDDI devices as well as
additional hubs to the network
Isolates segment breaks through an attachment configuration called dual
homing and dual attachment
Bypasses nodes that have been turned off or are experiencing problems
Extends the network's geographical diameter by regenerating all received
signals when repeating them onto the network