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Notice (continued) Proprietary Material Information and software in this document are proprietary to 3Com (or its Suppliers) and without the express prior permission of an officer of 3Com, may not be copied, reproduced, disclosed to others, published, or used, in whole or in part, for any purpose other than that for which it is being made available.
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PathBuilder S200 series switches are intended for use in remote bridging solutions. Solutions This means the PathBuilder S200 series switch is best used to connect a remote LAN to the WAN to connect to other remote LANs in your network, as shown in Figure 1.
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Mixed LAN Support PathBuilder S200 series switches support mixed LAN bridging, meaning you can configure an Ethernet interface in the same node. Refer to the “Mixed LAN Bridging” section on page 8 for more details. Translational PathBuilder S200 series switches can use the Translational Bridging feature to Bridging bridge traffic between Ethernet Networks.
Basic Remote Bridging Examples ... Bridge Hardware Components in PathBuilder S200 Series Switches ... Setting Up WAN Operation for Bridging ... Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation ... Bridge Parameters ... Bridge Link Parameters ... LAN Connection Table ...
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Topic In This Notice (continued) Bridge Statistics ... 132 Spanning Tree Statistics ... 133 Detailed Bridge Link Statistics ... 135 Bridge Link Filter Summary ... 138 Transparent Bridge Forwarding Table Statistics ... 140 Transparent Bridge Detailed Bridge Link Statistics ... 142 LAN Connection Statistics ...
802.3 (Ethernet) LAN interfaces per node or one 802.5 (Token Ring) LAN interface) per node, and up to 32 remote bridge connections. A PathBuilder S200 series switch bridge can be connected to a WAN backbone made up of X.25, Frame Relay, or both, as shown in Figure 2.
Stations access the Ethernet using Carrier Sense with Multiple Access and Collision Detection (CSMA/CD). PathBuilder S200 PathBuilder S200 series switch Ethernet functionality complies with the IEEE 802.3 Series Switch specifications and provides Transparent Bridging to transport many different Support for protocols over the Wide Area Network (WAN) to remote destinations.
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Figure 5 shows an example of two Ethernet LANs connected across a WAN using Ethernet Bridge two PathBuilder S200 series switches as bridges. The example shows a Frame Relay Operation WAN application, but you can also bridge across an X.25 WAN.
Mixed LAN Bridging What is It? PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switches support a mixture of Token Ring and Ethernet interfaces configured in the same node. This means the PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch is able to perform remote Transparent bridging for Ethernet LANs from the same PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch as shown in Figure 6.
MAC Addressing What Is It? Bridges, whether they using Transparent Bridging, operate at the Data Link Layer, which is concerned with MAC addressing. The MAC Address is a 6-byte MAC (Media Access Control) address that identifies stations on a LAN. The IEEE administers distribution of the MAC address to ensure no duplicates occur in MAC addressing.
Additionally, Local Termination provides detailed statistics on LLC2 sessions. LT Example Figure 7 shows a network where running LLC2 Local Termination at the edge point PathBuilder S200 series switches enables spoofing from one side of the network to the other across multiple Token Rings. LLC2...
Local Termination Autolearn is a default feature with PathBuilder S200 series switches operating software meaning it requires no special configuration, other than configuring the remote host MAC address in the PathBuilder S200 series switch Local Termination (LT) Station tables. It does not interfere with previously configured Local Termination spoofing sessions.
For more details on MAC Address filtering, see the section “MAC Address Filtering” section on page 58” in this manual. NetBIOS Name The NetBIOS Name Filtering feature of PathBuilder S200 series switches lets you Filtering restrict or filter all NetBIOS broadcasts, except those to or from a list of servers.
LANs. A spanning tree network eliminates parallel paths and traffic loops. The PathBuilder S200 series switch implementation of the Spanning Tree Protocol Entity (SPTE) conforms to IEEE 802.ID specifications. Refer to the IEEE 802.ID specification for more detailed information on Spanning Tree Protocol operation.
Dual Ethernet LANs What Is It? The PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch supports up to two Ethernet LANs in t he same node. This means you can connect up to two Ethernet LANs to a single PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch to perform bridging and routing of LAN traffic across the WAN to multiple Ethernet LANs.
This section shows some common examples of bridging applications using PathBuilder S200 series switches. Remote Bridging Figure 9 shows a common Source Route Bridging operation for PathBuilder S200 Across a WAN series switches where two Token Ring LANs are attached across a WAN. For example, two LANs could be bridged using two PathBuilder S200 series switches interconnected by an X.25 or Frame Relay link.
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1 and Token Ring 3 does not have to pass through Token Ring 2. This is an important advantage in configuring bridge networks with the PathBuilder S200 series switch because you can form a minimal bridge network to accomplish the desired interconnectivity.
Ethernet” section on page 117 for more details on this functionality. On the PathBuilder S200 series switch links numbered 2 to 4 are not used and are reserved for future configurations. WAN links are numbered 5 to 36 and provide up to 32 WAN connection links which correspond to potential bridges.
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Bridge Hardware Components in PathBuilder S200 Series Switches Bridging...
Figure 13. Interface Connections Between WAN and LAN Critical Parameters Before you can use a PathBuilder S200 series switch as a bridge to connect LANs for WAN Operation over a WAN, you must configure the following two parameters in the Node record for the bridge node.
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LAN Connection The LAN Connection Subaddresses identifies all LAN Connections. Incoming calls Subaddress with a network address consisting of the Node Address specified in the Node record and the LAN Connection Subaddress, specified in the LAN Connection Table, are verified and allowed to connect to the WAN Adapter in order to reach the LAN bridges.
Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Introduction This section shows you how to configure a PathBuilder S200 series switch for bridging operation. What You Need to When you are performing a Transparent Bridging operation, configure the following...
Bridge Parameters Bridge Port Record After you configure the Node record and the LAN Port record for the bridge node, Parameters configure the Bridge parameters. Figure 14 shows the parameters that make up the Bridge Parameters record. Node: Menu: Configure Bridge Figure 14.
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation *STPE Control Range: Default: Description: Note If STPE Control parameter is set to MAN, the following parameter appears. Bad Hello Threshold Range: Default: Description: Note If STPE Control parameter is set to MAN, the following parameter appears.
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Bad Hello Timeout (continued) Description: Learn Only Period (used for Ethernet only) Range: Default: Description: Aging Period (used for Ethernet only) Range: Default: Description: Bridge WAN Data Priority (used for Ethernet only) Range: Default: Description: Represents the timeout value in minutes. The Bad Hello counter is reset when the timeout expires and can be used to control how frequently the Hello counter reaches its alarm threshold.
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Note If STPE Control parameter value is AUTO, this parameter appears. Bridged Protocols Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F None, IP, IPX None Specify the routable protocols that can be bridged across BROUT or BRID links.
Bridge Link Parameters Introduction The bridge uses Bridge Links as connections to the LAN and WAN networks. The LAN Bridge Link connects the bridge directly to the local LAN, and its parameters control the characteristics of this connection. The WAN Bridge Link parameters let you establish and maintain SVC connections to a remote LAN bridge.
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There are 32 possible WAN Bridge Links, numbered 5 to 36. Bridges are formed by PVC/SVC connections to WAN bridge links in remote PathBuilder S200 series switch. Each bridge link used in a WAN connection is connected to a remote bridge link and such an arrange- ment forms a bridge between the two LANs.
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Hop Count Limit Range: Default: Description: Largest Frame Size Range: Default: Description: MAC Address Filter Action Range: Default: Description: 0 to 7 Specifies the maximum number of bridges through which a broadcast frame may pass on the way to its destination. 516, 1500, 2052, 4472 2052 Specifies the maximum size of the INFO field that this Bridge...
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Protocol Filter Action Range: Default: Description: NETBIOS Name Filter Action Range: Default: Description: STPE Link State Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F NONE, PASS, BLOCK NONE Functions similarly to the MAC Address Filtering Action parameter.
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Link Mode Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Note The following parameter appears if you set Link Mode to RFC1294 Virtual Ring Number Range: Default: Description: NORMAL,RFC1294, TRANS NORMAL Specify one of the following: • NORMAL - Bridge link connects to another Bridge using the Link Control Protocol to determine remote Ring Number.
Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation LAN Connection Table Introduction The LAN Connection Table provides information about the connections that cross over the WAN. LAN Connection Figure 16 shows the LAN Connection Table parameters. Table Parameters Node:...
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*LAN Forwarder Type Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: LAN Connection Type Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Router Interface Number Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: ROUT, BRID, BROUT ROUT Specify if the LAN Connection is to pass bridged, routed, and/or brouted traffic: •...
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Encapsulation Type Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Autocall Mnemonic Range: Default: Description: LCON Queue Limit Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F RFC 877, RFC 1294 CODEX Specify the type of encapsulation used over this LAN connection.
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Billing Records Range: Default: Description: Traffic Priority Range: Default: Description: OFF, ON Enables or disables the creation (storing and printing) of billing records for the LAN connection: • ON: Billing records are generated. • OFF: Billing records are not generated. LOW, MED, HIGH, EXP HIGH Specify the Traffic Priority level of this LAN Connection.
Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Limiting Bridge Frame Sizes Overview Although there are valid reasons for using larger frame sizes on bridges, there are limiting factors that must be considered when selecting a maximum frame size.
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2052 4472 Bridge Transit Time The transit time for bridged traffic within a PathBuilder S200 series switch is fixed to an upper bound of approximately one second. If the time is exceeded, the frame is discarded. This avoids extra traffic being sent (especially due to LLC2 recovery procedures).
Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Configuring Translational Bridging Introduction This section explains how to configure your PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch to implement the Translational Bridging feature. What is Translational Bridging allows a PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch to bridge Translational traffic between Ethernet and Token Ring networks.
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Port 13 Station A Bridge Link 1 Transparent Bridge Ethernet Port 13 Port Type: ETH Bridge Link Number: 1 Bridge Link 5 Bridge Type: TB LAN Connection 1 LAN Forwarder Type: BRID Bridge Link Number: 5 Figure 18. Translational Bridging Example Figure 19 shows a situation where a PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch is configured for translational bridging with SVCs/PVCs originating from two remotes.
This section summarizes how PathBuilder S200 series switches handle frames during Source Route Bridge operation. How Frame Once a PathBuilder S200 series switch station connected to a Token Ring and is Handling Works operating normally, non-MAC frames are copied from the ring as they pass through the bridge station only if they satisfy these requirements: •...
Only similar remote bridges must identify themselves with this ID. For details on configuring the Node record, refer to the PathBuilder S200 Series Basic Protocols. Individual Bridge...
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation • LAN Side: The LAN port connection consists of one link. To configure the bridge module requires that you configure the LAN Port; the LAN Bridge; and the LAN Bridge Link, which passes the LAN traffic from the LAN Port to the LAN Bridge (always numbered “1”).
Connecting a Station to a Server in Source Route Bridging Introduction The following is an example of the process involved in establishing a connection between a station on one Token Ring LAN with a server on a remote Token Ring LAN for a Source Route Bridging operation.
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Figure 22. Server’s Destination MAC Address Not on LAN AAA 3) After receiving no response on the local LAN, the PC uses Source Route Bridging (SRB) to find the path to the remote server. The PC can resend the TEST frame indicating that the frame is to be bridged over all routes.
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5) The PathBuilder S200 series switch transfers a copy of the ARE frame from the LAN Port across LAN Bridge Link number 1 to the Bridge (Figure 24). Since the frame is an All Routes Explorer, the Bridge broadcasts the frame across each of the existing WAN Bridge Links (32 max) to the WAN Adapter module.
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation PB S200 Bridge Adaptor Port Figure 25. WAN Adapter Transmits Each ARE Frame Across the WAN 7) One of the ARE frames finds the destination server, and the server recognizes the MAC address in the TEST frame.
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8) The server issues a Specific Route TEST frame (also called a non-broadcast frame) in response using the route indicated in the ARE TEST frame. Note that the server does not have to broadcast (use ARE) to get the TEST response back to the PC;...
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Configuring the PathBuilder S200 Series Switch for Bridging Operation Attaching a Station This table describes how a station attaches to a ring. to a Ring Step Bridging T0008-16F Action The station requests values for the ring’s operational parameters from the RPS.
A transparent bridge learns based upon the MAC source address. This address is placed into the transparent bridging forwarder table, along with the link that the PathBuilder S200 series switch received the frame on, if the address is not to be filtered.
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Transparent Bridge Figure 27 shows how the Forwarder and the Hardware Accelerator process a frame. Forwarder Example A frame arrives at the TB Forwarder. the MAC Source Address in the forwarding table? the MAC Destination Address in the forwarding table? TB Forwarder checks if any filters are set.
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Forwarder/ Figure 28 shows the relationship of the Forwarder and Hardware Accelerator to the Hardware LAN and WAN Handlers. Accelerator and LAN/WAN Handlers Handler Figure 28. Relationship of Forwarder and Hardware Accelerator to LAN and WAN Handlers Hardware The Hardware Accelerator performs these functions: Accelerator •...
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Forwarder The Forwarder bridging logic includes decisions such as: Functions • Which Link(s) the frame should be sent to. If the destination address of the frame exists in the Forwarding Table, and there is a link number associated with it, then the Forwarder checks whether filters should be applied to the frame and cause the frame to be dropped.
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Forwarder and The Forwarder cleans up all entries in the Forwarding Table when there are spanning STPE tree topology changes taking place. These actions are considered services the Forwarder provides to the Spanning Tree Protocol Entity (STPE). The Forwarder provides these services through MACRO routines so that they are accessible to the entire system.
Forwarder Database and Spanning Tree How They Work There is a close relationship between the forwarding database and the spanning tree. Together The spanning tree can be manually configured. This is a reasonable thing to do in the case where a stable environment exists since it saves CPU processing by eliminating aging timers and the broadcasting that is employed when the forwarding table does not have a suitable entry.
Using Filters Support The Forwarder provides its own filtering facility which is used to reduce unnecessary traffic and to provide security. The filtering facility supports the following types of filters: • Incoming Source Address Filter • Incoming Destination Address Filter •...
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Multicast Link When a multicast/broadcast frame comes from a link with the Multicast Protect Flag Protect Flag set, and if its source address is not found in the Permanent Station Address list, the frame is dropped. When a multicast/broadcast frame is sent out over a link with the Multicast Protect Flag set, and if its destination address is not found in the Permanent Station Address List, the frame is dropped.
Bridge Filtering What is It? Bridge filtering prevents extraneous traffic from traversing the WAN and stops the unintentional proliferation of traffic onto other remote LAN segments. In Ethernet Transparent Bridging, the broadcast feature lets stations determine routes to other end stations. Broadcasting to the entire network can unnecessarily degrade performance because of broadcasts traversing LAN segments that are not in any part of the network where the target station resides.
MAC Address Filtering What Is It? This feature lets you filter bridge traffic based on MAC address. The Bridge Link Table and the MAC Address Filter Table are used to configure MAC Address filtering. The Bridge Link Table specifies: • Whether or not any filtering action is to be performed. •...
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Parameter Outgoing Destination Address Link Action List of Links MAC Address This table lists the filtering actions available for the MAC Address Filtering Action Filtering Action parameter. Parameter Selections Parameter Value Pass (P) Block (B) None (N) What Happens When filtering is performed, the system checks the Bridge Link Table of the bridge During Filtering link involved with the frame to see if the MAC Address Filtering Action parameter is configured to disable all filtering on that bridge link.
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MAC Filtering Figure 30 shows the MAC Filtering process. Process Pass frame without filtering Apply Table Filter: PASS or BLOCK Figure 30. MAC Address Filtering Action Check Bridge Link Record or Entry NONE MAC Address Filtering Action Setting? PASS or BLOCK Check MAC Address Filter Table for match of frame MAC Address...
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Mac Filtering As shown in Figure 30, if a match is detected, the system applies the filtering action Process configured for that entry. The filtering action is to either PASS the frame or BLOCK the frame for all links or for a configured list of links. This filtering action overrides the action specified in the MAC Address Filter Action parameter.
MAC Address Filtering Examples Introduction This section shows two filtering examples. Figure 32 shows how the source address can be used to filter frames. Figure 35 shows how the MAC Address Filter Table can be used to filter frames by combining multiple source and destination addresses. First Example In Figure 32, the source address (MAC Address represented by A) is used to filter frames passing in or out of the bridge via links 1, 5, and 6 (Figure 32).
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Configuring the MAC Address Filter Table Entry Number MAC Address Incoming Source Address Action List of Links Outgoing Source Address Action List of Links In a Bridge Link Record, Pass (or Block) tells the system to check the MAC Address Filter Table to find out what filtering to perform.
Identifying Address Links for MAC Addressing Why it is Important Identifying the address links is an important step in configuring MAC Address filtering. A Source Address link allows a device on the LAN to send frames. A Destination Address link allows a device on the LAN to receive frames. The Incoming Source Address link provides a path for a frame to go from the Token Ring to the bridge.
MAC addresses in the range 080004001F00 to 080004001FFF, you would have to configure 256 filters. Now you can simply specify 080004001F**. PathBuilder S200 PathBuilder S200 series switches support the MAC wildcard feature on the Ethernet. Series Switch Support How MAC Wildcard...
Configuring the MAC Address Filter Table Introduction The MAC Address Filter Table controls which frames are allowed to pass on to different links and lets you control proprietary information that you may not want to go to another LAN. It is also useful in controlling the unnecessary proliferation of broadcast frames in the LAN network.
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Parameters These parameters make up the MAC Address Filter Table. Entry Number Range: Default: Description: MAC Address Range: Default: Description: Incoming Source Address Link Action Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F 1 to 300 Entry number used to reference this table record for filtering action.
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Outgoing Source Address Link Action Range: Default: Description: Incoming Destination Address Link Action Range: Default: Description: PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, BLOCKLIST PASS Outgoing source means that the frame is leaving the bridge for the WAN. Therefore, a given source address frame will be outgoing from bridge to WAN and incoming from LAN to bridge (provided it does not get blocked due to filtering).
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Outgoing Destination Address Link Action Range: Default: Description: List of Links Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, BLOCKLIST PASS The Outgoing Destination Address link provides a path for a frame to go from the bridge to the LAN. It allows a device on a Token Ring to receive frames.
Protocol Filtering What is It? Protocol filtering is used to prevent nodes operating with a certain protocol from operating outside their intended scope. For protocol filtering, the same fundamentals apply as with MAC Address Filtering except the Bridge Link record specifies Protocol Filtering Action.
Configuring the Protocol Filter Table Introduction The Protocol Filter Table prevents stations operating with a certain protocol from operating outside their intended scope. This filtering action is applied to that part of the frame that defines the protocol carried by the frame. Note A Table boot must be performed to implement changes to the Protocol Filter Table parameters.
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Protocol Type Range: Default: Description: Protocol Value Range: Default: Description: DSAP, SNAP DSAP Indicates what type of protocol is involved in the frame. DSAP (Destination Service Access Point): The protocol value to be filtered is the Destination SAP field of the 802.2 LLC formatted frame.
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Incoming Protocol Link Action Range: Default: Description: Outgoing Protocol Link Action Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, BLOCKLIST PASS Specifies the action to be taken on the incoming protocol. These actions include: PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, or BLOCKLIST. • PASS: If this value is used, incoming frames with the specified protocol value are passed on all links.
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DSAP Values The DSAP is a 1-byte ID found in the LLC field (see Figure 37). You set this value in the Protocol Value parameter of the Protocol Filter Table. Examples of DSAPs include: • IBM (04, 08,...) • Banyan Vines (BC) •...
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Example of This table provides an overview of the Protocol Filter Table parameters. Protocol Filter Table Parameter Entry Number Protocol Type Protocol Value Incoming Protocol Link Action Outgoing Protocol Link Action List of Links Bridging T0008-16F Action(s) Used to reference this table record. Indicates what type of protocol is involved in the frame.
NetBIOS Name Filtering Introduction The NetBIOS Name Filtering feature compares NetBIOS broadcasts to a “pattern” that may have a wild card “*” character at the end. For example, if all servers have a naming convention with the first part of the name the same, for example, “SVR...”, then you can complete only one entry in the NetBIOS Filter Table to permit broadcasts to and from the “SVR*”...
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Forcing a Local The NetBIOS Name Filtering feature can also force a local domain, or context, of a Domain With NetBIOS name. All branch offices, for example, may connect to an SNA gateway NetBIOS Name function in OS/2 by accessing a gateway local to the branch. Under normal bridging Filters conditions, you configure the SNA gateway NetBIOS server with a different name for each branch office and every workstation to attach to the name for its branch...
Configuring NetBIOS Name Filtering Introduction This section describes how to use the Control Terminal Port (CTP) to configure NetBIOS Name Filtering. How to Configure Follow these steps: NetBIOS Name Filtering Step Bridge Link Figure 40 highlights the parameter, NetBIOS Name Filter Action, in the Bridge Link Parameters Record Parameters record.
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Configuring To access the NetBIOS Name Filter Action parameter, follow the steps below: NetBIOS Name Filtering Step Select Configure -> Configure Bridge -> Bridge Link Parameters from the CTP Main menu. Enter the number of the link that you are defining and complete the NetBIOS Name Filter Action parameter using the description in the Parameters section that follows.
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Configure NetBIOS Figure 41 highlights the NetBIOS Name Filter Table selection in the Configure Name Filter Table Bridge menu. Node: Menu: Configure Bridge Bridge Parameters Bridge Link Parameters MAC Address Filter Table Protocol Filter Table NetBIOS Name Filter Table LSS Parameters LLC LT Station Table LLC LT WAN Parameters LLC LT Profile Table...
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Typical Filtering For the typical case, where you filter client broadcast traffic by default and pass server traffic as discussed in the ““Typical Filtering” section on page 81.” • Define only the NetBIOS Name field. • Define one record for each wildcard pattern that encompasses all NetBIOS service names.
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Incoming NetBIOS Name Link Action Range: Default: Description: Incoming NetBIOS Name List of Links Range: Default: Description: PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, BLOCKLIST PASS The following describes the options that you can define for the link: • PASS — Passes all incoming frames with a specified NetBIOS name on all links.
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Outgoing NetBIOS Name Link Action Range: Default: Description: Outgoing NetBIOS Name: List of LInks Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F PASS, BLOCK, PASSLIST, BLOCKLIST PASS These are the options that you can define for the link • PASS — Passes outgoing frames with the specified NetBIOS name on all links.
NetBIOS Name Filtering Statistics Introduction For each bridge link, you can display the number of packets discarded due to matching a NetBIOS name filter on a bridge filter statistics screen. There are separate counts for the number discarded on incoming and outgoing directions for each bridge link.
NetBIOS Packet Formats Introduction NetBIOS Name Filtering operates only on the Microsoft or IBM-compatible NetBIOS implementations, which represents the majority of NetBIOS implementations. It does not recognize at this time Novell’s implementation of NetBIOS over IPX, nor does it recognize the packet format of NetBIOS over TCP (RFC 1000).
Spanning Tree Protocol Entity (STPE) Introduction The Spanning Tree Protocol Entity (STPE) is part of the PathBuilder S200 series switch Source Route Bridge functionality. The parameters that control Spanning Tree Protocol operation are in the Bridge Record and Bridge Link Record. In the Bridge Record, the STPE Control parameter setting determines whether Automatic or Manual Spanning Tree is used.
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A manual spanning tree forms fixed single route paths between LANs, and cannot dynamically reestablish an alternate path for the broken one. However, the PathBuilder S200 series switch LAN option can use its SVC rerouting capability to overcome this problem. The PathBuilder S200 series switch senses the break, drops the original SVC between the bridged nodes, and re-autocalls creating another SVC connection using a different path across the WAN.
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Tips on Spanning Determining a spanning tree in order to set up a manual tree may seem more labor Tree intensive than letting the bridge network determine the tree by algorithm. However, even with automatic spanning tree determination, you must study the possible arrangements of resulting trees and assign the bridge priorities accordingly to avoid unreasonable performance due to long data paths.
Example of a Figure 43 shows a bridge network composed of six PathBuilder S200 series switches Bridge Network and five LANs. The links that are in the blocking state have been selected to achieve With Spanning Tree the shortest path for the bulk of the expected data flow.
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Setting the Root The bridge with the lowest Bridge ID becomes the root bridge in a spanning tree Bridge of the network. Spanning Tree The Bridge ID is made up of two parts: the Bridge Priority and the MAC address of the LAN port.
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Determining Path Bridges use Path Cost to determine their Root Link. The range of Path Cost is 0 to Costs 65535. The lower the path cost, the more likely this path will be used. Use This table to determine the path costs for each type of link in your network. Type of Network 802.3 802.5...
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Consider the A further consideration for setting path cost is the nature and expected number of Nature and SVCs that the bridge link uses to achieve its connectivity and adjust the value of Expected Number incremental path cost accordingly. For example, consider the topology shown in of SVCs Figure 45.
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Other There are two final considerations when selecting links on the basis of reported cost, Considerations for when the costs and indicated root bridge on different links are the same. The first is Selecting Links the case where, for example, B4 receives a message on link 8 from B3 designating B1 as the root bridge with a cost of 10608 to the root.
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The same priority mechanisms that determine the root link are also applied in determining which links become designated links (a root link is never a designated link). The designated link is the link that is responsible for issuing the bridge messages when more than one link is involved in a network.
Spanning Tree Timers Introduction If the spanning tree converges to a final topology (it usually does, but misconfiguration as discussed below can cause instability and lack of convergence), the topology is maintained by timed messages initiated by the root bridge and sent out its designated links.
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Max Age >= 2 x (Hello Time - 1) In the PathBuilder S200 series switch this rule is not strictly enforced by CTP configuration checks. You should check that the values are satisfactory for the operational environment. The Max Age range of values is 6 to 40 and the default is 20.
Bridge Forward Delay Timer Forward Delay For transparent bridges the bridge Forward Delay is used to allow the spanning tree algorithm to converge to a stable topology before the bridging process is allowed to proceed. Spanning tree topology determination is an iterative process and requires time to converge.
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Suppose all bridges come up at the same time. Initially, at t=0, all bridges think they are the root and they issue the messages shown on the t=0 line. For simplicity, the bridge ID is a two digit number and the couplet such as 01,3561 should be interpreted as: root_ID, cost_to_root.
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Aging Timer The Aging Timer is a configurable parameter found in the Bridge Parameters Record. It allows learned station addresses to be aged in the station address cache and deleted once their age has reached the value of the Aging Timer parameter. This allows automatic updates for certain dynamic conditions, such as when a station is physically moved from one part of the network to another.
LLC2 Local Termination LLC2 Local LLC2 Local Termination lets specific Token Ring ports generate and respond to Termination LLC2 polls with local acknowledgments, thereby preserving bandwidth and preventing session timeouts in a Bridging application. Local Termination, also referred to as “spoofing,” provides an efficient means for carrying out an LLC2 session between two SNA end stations attached to separate Token Ring LANs connected by a Wide Area Network (WAN).
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Before Local Without Local Termination, networks face significant problems with bandwidth Termination usage and session timeouts due to polling overhead between the host and terminal, as well as network delays. For example, Figure 49 shows a terminal session on a source route bridged Token Ring LAN connected to a host without Local Termination.
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The cluster controller (CC) using non-PathBuilder S200 series switch bridge 3 in Figure 51 is source route bridged to the FEP. The local PathBuilder S200 series switch, bridge 1, at the FEP use location tries to locally terminate the session since all frames bearing the MAC address of the FEP are to be spoofed.
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Keepalives/Acks Figure 52. Example of Proper LT Configuration Local Termination running on PathBuilder S200 series switch bridges 1, 2, and 3 at the edge points of the network provide a simple solution to congestion and bandwidth problems across the entire network.
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Local termination or “spoofing” of LLC protocol means that acknowledgments to information frames and certain supervisory frames are handled locally by the spoofer. The spoofer, the LT software in a PathBuilder S200 series switch, ensures the acknowledged information frames are reliably delivered to the destination peer spoofer and that any flow control issues are handled appropriately.
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Traffic Priority & You can significantly optimize your spoofing operations by prioritizing Local Local Termination Termination traffic and regular bridge traffic. By assigning a separate lower priority to spoofer traffic, the regular bridge traffic is queued quicker. The extra delay of spoofer traffic does not affect the acknowledgments of frames on the LAN.
Configuring Local Termination Configuring for Perform the following procedures to configure Local Termination on a Bridge node. Local Termination Step Before You Begin Connect to the node using Control Terminal Port (CTP) access. Obtain the following information: • MAC Address of the device being spoofed. •...
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Step Configuring the LT These parameters make up the LT Station Table. Station Table Entry Number Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Local MAC Address Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Bridging T0008-16F Action (continued) Configure all of these LT configu- ration options. Choose one to begin.
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Local SAP Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: LLC Profile Name Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Configuring the LT These parameters make up the LT WAN Parameters Table. WAN Parameters T1Reply Timer Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: T2 Rx Ack Timer Range: Default: Description:...
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T2 Rx Ack Timer (continued) Boot Type: Ti Inactivity Timer Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: N2 Retry Count Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: N3 ACK Delay Count Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: : Bridging T0008-16F LLC LT WAN Parameters. 2 to 255 (seconds) The Idle Timer is used by a station to detect an inoperative condition of the logical link.
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Tx Window Size Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: LCC LT WAN Data Priority Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: LLC LT Profile These parameters make up the LLC LT Profile Table. Table Configuration Entry Number Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: LCC Profile Name Range: Default: Description:...
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T1 Reply Timer Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: T2 Rx ACK Timer Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Ti Inactivity Timer Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: N2 Retry Count Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Bridging T0008-16F 1 to 25 (seconds) This Ack timer is used by a station to detect a failure of the remote station to acknowledge an outstanding I frame or supervi- sory frame with the pole bit set to 1.
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N3 ACK Delay Count Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: Tx Window Size Range: Default: Description: Boot Type: 1 to 15 The Receive Count is used with T2 to reduce the number of acknowledgments a station generates. The receive count is used by a station to determine how many frames it receives from the remote station while withholding acknowledgment of these frames.
Deleting LT Configuration Records Overview You can delete the following LLC2 LT configuration records if you no longer use them: • LT Station Table • LT Profile Table Before You Begin Choose List Bridge from the CTP Main menu to obtain a list of the configured LT session records.
Mixed LAN Operation Overview PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switches support a mixture of Token Ring and Ethernet interfaces configured on the same node. This means the PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch is able to perform remote Transparent bridging for Ethernet LANs and remote Source Route Bridging from the same PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch, as shown in Figure 54.
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Steps to Configure To perform mixed LAN bridging operation in a PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x Mixed LAN switch, configure a unique bridge link and router interface number for each LAN Bridging Operation interface from the Port record. You must also configure the WAN bridge link to sup- port Transparent Bridging and Source Route Bridging.
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Step Note Duplicate bridge link or router interface numbers results in only the lowest numbered port being initialized. Statistics Bridge link statistics for the WAN bridge link show the status of Mixed LAN links as Both TB and SRB Active BOTH_SR_AND_TB, and the Ethernet port successfully initialized.
Dual LAN Ethernet What Is It? The Dual LAN Ethernet feature lets your PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch support up to two Ethernet LAN interfaces to perform bridging and routing of LAN traffic across multiple LANs. Before Multiple Ethernet LAN, the PathBuilder S24x, 26x, and 27x switch supported only one Ethernet LAN port for remote bridging and routing of LAN traffic.
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Routing In IP/IPX or AppleTalk routing environments, do not connect both Ethernet LAN ports to the same Ethernet segment with identical routing decision values. This is not supported. How to Configure Follow these steps to configure a node for Multiple Ethernet LAN. Dual Ethernet LAN Step Action...
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Step For Details on See the PathBuilder S200 Series Basic Protocols for details on Ethernet LAN port Parameters... parameters for Multiple LAN Ethernet operation. Bridging T0008-16F Action (continued) Perform a Bridge Link boot from the Boot menu. Dual LAN Ethernet Result/Description This enables the bridge link.
LAN Server Subsystem What is It? The LAN Server Subsystem (LSS) software lets PathBuilder S200 series switches such as the PathBuilder S200 series switch communicate with an IBM LAN Manager to provide the following support for Token Ring Source Route Bridging applications: •...
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Statistics and Statistics and status alarm thresholds maintained by the LSS are specific for the IBM Alarms LNM and can be accessed by the IBM LNM, but not from the CTP. Bridging T0008-16F LAN Server Subsystem Release 5.2M...
Configuring the LSS Record Example of LCC Figure 56 shows the LSS Record parameters used to configure a PathBuilder S200 Record series switch for LSS operation. Node: Menu: Configure Bridge Figure 56. LAN Server Subsystem (LSS) Record Menu Parameters These parameters make up the LSS Record.
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*Virtual Bridge ID Range: Default: Description: *Path Trace Control Range: Default: Description: *Functional Address Mask Range: Default: Description: Bridging T0008-16F 0 to 15 Represents the bridge ID of a virtual source routing bridge that connects the local TR LAN to the virtual TR LAN. ENABLE, DISABLE DISABLE Specifies whether or not the LBS is enabled to send the Path Trace...
Bridge Statistics Introduction The Bridge Statistics section provides information about the LAN Port, Bridge Links, LAN Connection, and the Spanning Tree. Figure 57 shows the Bridge Statistics Menu screen. Node: Menu: Bridge Statistics Figure 57. The Bridge Statistics Menu Screen Address: Date: STPE Status...
Spanning Tree Statistics Spanning Tree Figure 58 shows the information displayed by the Spanning Tree Status report. (STPE) Status Node: Spanning Tree Statistics STPE Bridge ID: 00:ff:ff:ff:00:00:00:00 Root Bridge ID: 00:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff Root Path Cost Max Age: Last Topological Change Topological Changes Bridge-Link ___________ Figure 58.
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Term (continued) State Priority Path Cost Description The STPE view of the link’s current state. The possible states are: • Disabled: The STPE is disabled. (If STPE Control parameter is MAN) • Blocking: The STE frames are blocked on this bridge link.
Detailed Bridge Link Statistics Introduction Figure 59 and Figure 60 show sample statistics screens. Node: Detailed Bridge Link Statistics: Bridge Link 01 Bridge Link Status: Inactive Bridge Type: Bridge Link Type: Max Frame Size: Local Ring Number: Frame Summary: SRF: ARE: STE: Frame Totals:...
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Description of This table describes Detailed Bridge Link Statistics terms. Screen Terms Term Bridge Link Status Bridge Type ST Status Bridge Link Type Last Stat Reset Max Frame Size Max Hop Count Local Ring Number The ring number to which this bridge is locally attached. Next Ring Number Description Following are the possible states:...
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Term (continued) SR (Source Route): Frame Summary Filter Discards RIF Error Discards Bridging T0008-16F Description Received/Transmitted: The number of Source Route frames received/sent by the bridge. • SRF: Specifically Routed Frames. • ARE: All Route Explorer. Also called all route broadcast.
Bridge Link Filter Summary Example of Bridge Figure 61 shows the information displayed by the Bridge Link Filter Summary. The Link Filter filters from MAC Address Filter Tables and Protocol Filter Tables are sorted for a Summary bridge link and displayed. Node: Bridge Link Filter Summary: Bridge Link Filter Action:...
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Term (continued) Active Filters: MAC Address Active Filters: Protocol Class Note This screen can be several pages long depending on configuration. Bridging T0008-16F Bridge Statistics Description • MAC Address: 6-byte value of MAC Address parameter from the MAC Filter Table. •...
Transparent Bridge Forwarding Table Statistics TB Forwarding TB Forwarding Table statistics are shown in Figure 62. Stats Example Node: TB Forwarding Table Stats Learned Entry Discards: 0 Available Entries: Aging Timer: Forwarding Database: MAC Address 03-00-FF-FF-FF-FF 08-00-3E-00-1B-96 FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF Press any key to continue (ESC to exit)... Figure 62.
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Term (continued) Forwarding Database Bridging T0008-16F Description • MAC Address: 6-byte value of MAC Address parameter from the MAC Filter Table. Indicates a MAC Address for the list of entries in the forwarding database displayed by the status/statistics screen. • Bridge Link Number: Indicates the corresponding bridge link number used to forward a frame with the given MAC Address.
Transparent Bridge Detailed Bridge Link Statistics Detailed Bridge Figure 63 shows page 2 of the Detailed Bridge Statistics screen. This page reflects Link Statistics Transparent Bridging statistics when TB is configured on the node. Node: Detailed Bridge Link Statistics: Bridge Link 01 TB: Frames Discarded link not in Forwarding State Inbound Discards: 0 TB: Frames Discarded due to unicast link protect being set...
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Term TB Frame Summary TB Frames Discarded TB Filter Discards Bridging T0008-16F Description (continued) Frames Received/Transmitted: • Unicast: This is a count of frames received/transmitted with an individual (non-group) MAC level address • Multicast: This is a count of the number of frames received/ transmitted with a group MAC level address •...
LAN Connection Statistics Example of LAN The LAN Connection Statistics Menu screen is shown in Figure 64. Select the Connection appropriate number to view a particular screen. Statistics Menu Node: Menu:Lan Connection Statistics LAN Connection Stats LAN Connection Summary Stats Reset LAN Connection Stats Figure 64.
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Node: Detailed LAN Connection Statistics: LCON-5 Call Summary Connection Type: Connection State: Forwarders Connected: Remote Address: Number of auto-call attempts Last clear cause code: Last clear diagnostic code: Packet Summary: Data Call Request Call Accept Clear Request Clear Confirm Reset Request Reset Confirm Press any key to continue ( ESC to exit ) Figure 66.
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Description of This table describes screen terms for pages 1 and 2 of the Detailed LAN Connection Screen Terms Statistics shown in Figures 65 and 66. Term Call Summary Description This field provides information about the following: • Connection Type: Specifies whether the connection is an SVC or a PVC.
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Term (continued) Packet Summary Last Statistics Reset The date and time of the last statistics reset. Resetting the Transmit Data Summary Receive Data Summary Discard Summary Bridging T0008-16F Description • Data: Summary of each packet sent on the WAN and received from the WAN bridge link.
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Example of LAN Figure 67 shows the LAN Connection Summary Statistics. Connection Summary Statistics Node: LAN Connection Summary Status Connection ================== ================ 1 Waiting Press any key to continue ( ESC to exit ) Figure 67. LAN Connection Summary Statistics Description of This table describes the screen terms for the LAN Connection Summary Statistics Screen Terms...
LLC2 LT Session Summary Statistics Sample of Session Figure 68 shows a sample of the LLC2 LT Session Summary Statistics report. Summary Statistics Node: LLC LT Session Summary Stats Session Stn Press any key to continue ( ESC to exit ) ... Figure 68.
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Heading (continued) Status Description Indicates the session between the local and remote MAC addresses. • UP - MAC addresses are communicating using Local Termination. • DOWN - MAC addresses are not communicating. Session is the process of coming up or going down. Bridging...
LLC2 LT Detailed Session Statistics Sample of Detailed Figures 69 and 70 show samples of the LLC2 LT Detailed Session Statistics report. Session Statistics Node: LLC LT Detailed Session Stats Session Number: 1 Local MAC: 40:00:10:00:00:00 Remote MAC: 00:00:C9:10:88:C3 RIF: 0620,0021,0010 Last Statistics Reset: Date/Time Local Station Session Summary: TX Window:...
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Description of This table describes the screen attributes for the Detailed Session Statistics screens Screen Attributes as shown in Figures 69 and 70. Heading Session Number: Station Number: LLC Profile Name: Profile name table that this station uses which references the Local MAC: Remote MAC: Local SAP:...
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Heading TX Window: Protocol State: Characters In: Characters Out: Info: RNR: REJ: SABME TEST: XID: DISC: FRMR: Frames received out of sequence: Bad frames received: Frames dropped: Bridging T0008-16F Description (continued) Local Station Session Summary Transmit window size obtained from the configuration for the local station.
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Heading TX Window: Protocol State: Info: RNR: REJ: SABME TEST: XID: DISC: Frames received out of sequence: Bad frames received: Frames dropped: Description (continued) Remote Spoofer Session Summary Transmit window size obtained from the configuration for LLC WAN parameters. Number of the state for current session with remote spoofer. Number of information frames received or transmitted by the local spoofer to or from the remote spoofer.
All the statistical counters of the selected bridge link are set to zero. Reset All Stats: This command resets all the statistics of the PathBuilder S200 series switch. This includes statistics of the TR port and all bridge links.
3Com provides easy access to technical support information through a variety of services. This appendix describes these services. Information contained in this appendix is correct at time of publication. For the very latest, 3Com recommends that you access the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site.
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3Com Bulletin The 3Com BBS contains patches, software, and drivers for 3Com products. This Board Service service is available through analog modem or digital modem (ISDN) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access by Analog Modem To reach the service by modem, set your modem to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
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If you are unable to contact your network supplier, see the following section on how to contact 3Com. Support from If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or 3Com from your network supplier, 3Com offers technical telephone support services. To find out more about your support options, please call the 3Com technical telephone support phone number at the location nearest you.
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Returning Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a Return Products for Repair Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Products sent to 3Com without RMA numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense. To obtain an RMA number, call or fax: Asia, Pacific Rim Europe, South Africa, and...
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Numerics 3Com bulletin board service (3Com BBS) 3Com URL 3ComFacts All Route Broadcast frame All Route Explorer (ARE) TEST frame ARE frame transfer example ARE TEST frame Async traffic Autolearn Local Termination Banyan Vines Bisync Block application Blocklist Bridge filtering MAC Address filtering protocol filtering protocol formats...
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Forwarding delay Frame handling All Route Broadcast duplicate frames single route broadcast Frame passing example Frames between spoofers frame types not spoofed frame types spoofed LLC description LLC1 TEST LLC2 description Frames Discarded Congestion message HDLC bridge NetBIOS IBM LAN Manager functionality IBM LAN Network Manager Bridge View (Figure)
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enabling for TR operation Non-broadcast frames None filtering action Novell IPX online technical services in SNAP Outgoing Destination Address link function Outgoing Destination Address Link Action parame- function Outgoing Protocol Link Action parameter description Outgoing Source Address example link Outgoing Source Address Link Action parameter function Pass application...
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bulletin board service fax service network suppliers product repair TEST frame description RII bit Specific Route type Token Ring Configuration Bridge parameters MAC Address Filter Table Token Ring Port Record Topology Change Notification BPDU TR Bridge parameters Autocall Mnemonic Bad Hello Threshold Bad Hello Timeout Billing Records Entry Number (Bridge link)
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