Summary of Contents for Digital Equipment DECbridge 90
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DECbridge 90 Owner’s Manual Order Number: EK-DEWGB-OM. B01 This is a revised manual. Revision/Update Information: Digital Equipment Corporation Maynard, Massachusetts...
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Second Edition, September 1992 The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
DECbridge 90. This manual also provides the specifications and lists the related documentation for the DECbridge 90. In this manual, the DECbridge 90 unit may be referred to as the DECbridge 90, work group bridge, bridge, or WGB. Organization This manual has five chapters and two appendices.
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Conventions The following conventions are used in this manual: Convention Meaning Note Provides general information. boldface type Boldface type in examples indicates user input. For example: SET PROTOCOL DECbridge> parameters Parameters are italicized. For example: SHOW PORT slot number Characters within brackets represent optional parameters. For example: SHOW PORT [hub number, slot number] viii...
The DECbridge 90 unit offers a reliable, high-performance, easy-to-install means of connecting two local area networks (LANs). Configured as a standalone unit or in the DEChub 90 backplane, the DECbridge 90 provides greater network reliability and efficiency by allowing the local area network to be partitioned into a number of smaller LANs.
200 stations, the DECbridge 90 automatically prevents unnecessary traffic from being transmitted from one LAN to the other. When there are more than 200 stations in the work group, the DECbridge 90 enters flood mode, which reduces the effectiveness of the traffic isolation, but ensures full connectivity across the bridge.
One of the switches is used to select ThinWire or AUI connection; the other switch is used to reset the DECbridge 90 password. When you push the reset button, any existing password is nullified and the DECbridge 90 is accessible without a password until you define a new password.
Figure 1–2 shows the DECbridge 90 indicators and connectors. Figure 1–2 Indicators and Connectors L J - 0 0 0 6 7 - T I 0 DC OK Indicator - (Green) Turns on when power supply is providing power to the bridge.
The DECbridge 90 unit has several configuration rules and guidelines that must be followed during installation and use. Each LAN connected by the DECbridge 90 is required to be an Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 compliant CSMA/CD LAN. The backbone port of the DECbridge 90 provides both ThinWire Ethernet (10Base2) and AUI (10Base5) connections, as shown in Figure 2–1 and Figure 2–2.
Figure 2–2 shows the DECbridge 90 configured to an AUI backbone. Figure 2–2 DECbridge 90 Configured to AUI Backbone S ystem Syst e m 50-ohm 50-ohm Te rmin at o r Termi nat or T ranscei ve r H4 00 5...
flood mode. To avoid enabling flood mode when a work group consists of more than 200 stations, separate the work group into smaller groups of less than 200 stations each with its own DECbridge 90. 2–4 Configuring the DECbridge 90...
Redundant connections to the backbone • If two DECbridge 90 units are configured into a redundant connection to the backbone, the spanning tree algorithm will allow only one bridge to forward traffic at a time. However, if a failure occurs in the backbone that causes the connection to be separated into two LANs, the spanning tree may reconfigure...
Bridges in the work group • If there are additional bridges on the work group side of the DECbridge 90, be sure to count the stations on all LANs in the work group against the 200- station limit and count each bridge as two against the total. In addition, if...
The number of bridges between any two stations is limited to seven or less. This guideline for networks with typical packet traffic loading is a compromise of the many different protocols offered and used on Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 LANs. Configuring the DECbridge 90 2–7...
Chapter 5, Troubleshooting. Appendix A, Specifications and Parts List, provides additional information that may be useful during installation. The DECbridge 90 may be installed on a desk top or table, mounted on a wall by its back cover, or installed in the DEChub 90 backplane. The only tool required for installation is a screwdriver.
These requirements are provided in Table A–2 in Appendix A. To install the DECbridge 90 on a desk top or table, make sure that the air circulation around the DECbridge 90 does not become obstructed by papers or other materials.
L J - 0 0 0 6 8 - T I 0 Mount DECbridge 90 on a Wall To install the DECbridge 90 as a standalone unit, refer to Figure 3–1 and follow this procedure: 1. Remove the back cover of the DECbridge 90 (Figure 3–2).
(Figure 3–3). 4. Gently pull on the cable to make sure that the latch is secure. Note The DECbridge 90 does not detect a collision presence test failure in the transceiver that is connected to the AUI port. Installation 3–5...
Figure 3–3 shows the proper connection of the transceiver cable. Figure 3–3 Connecting Transceiver Cables Push the Slide Latch Down Until it Snaps Into the Locking Position, Securing the Connector L J - 0 2 1 5 7 - T I 0 ThinWire Backbone Connection Select the ThinWire connection by sliding the ThinWire/AUI selector switch on the front panel toward the backbone port ThinWire connector.
(Figure 3–4 and Figure 3–5). Power Supply Connection To connect the power supply to the DECbridge 90, place the power supply within 1.1 meters (4.3 feet) of the DECbridge 90, and follow this procedure: 1. Attach the ac power cord to the power supply.
Backplane Installation To install the DECbridge 90 in the DEChub 90 backplane, use the DECbridge 90 kit, order number DEWGB-MA. The kit contents are listed in Appendix A. Figure 3–6 shows the DECbridge 90 in a DEChub 90 backplane. Figure 3–6 Installing the DECbridge 90 into DEChub 90 Backplane Slot 8 L J - 0 2 0 8 1 - T I 0 3–8 Installation...
Install the DECbridge 90 in the DEChub 90 Backplane To install the DECbridge 90 in the DEChub 90 backplane, refer to Figure 3–6 and follow this procedure: 1. Remove the back cover of the DECbridge 90. a. Insert a small screwdriver into the top mounting hole in the cover.
Managing the DECbridge 90 The DECbridge 90 unit is managed by Maintenance Operations Protocol (MOP), which allows advanced bridge features, such as protocol filtering, to be set up without any additional management software. Host system support, which is standard on all VMS installations, is required for MOP console carrier operation.
IEEE 802.3 and Ethernet compliance requirements. • Connectivity - The DECbridge 90 can be used on both IEEE 802.3 and Ethernet networks. • Backbone connection - The DECbridge 90 provides switch-selectable AUI or ThinWire connection to the backbone.
Online diagnostics - The DECbridge 90 has automated continuous testing of the DECbridge 90 hardware. • Loop detection - The DECbridge 90 determines if there are any loops by communicating with other Digital or IEEE 802.1 compliant bridges in the network and it configures appropriately to eliminate loops.
A VMS system may have more than one Ethernet interface; therefore, the circuit name is needed. The Ethernet address can be found on the label on the DECbridge 90 front panel. The following Ethernet circuit names, based on system type, apply:...
(where the Ethernet circuit name is bna-0), you can use the following commands: $ NCP NCP> DEFINE NODE DBRG1 ADDRESS 13.87 HARDWARE 08-00-2B-01-23-45 - SERVICE CIR BNA-0 NCP> SET NODE DBRG1 ALL You can then enter the following: $ NCP CONNECT NODE DBRG1 Managing the DECbridge 90 4–5...
You have three attempts to enter a password. If all three attempts fail, then you must disconnect and try again. If you have defined a password for the DECbridge 90, then the following appears on the screen after the network connection to the bridge is established: Console connected (press CTRL/D when finished) You must now enter the bridge password to access the console carrier.
The command options are: DEFINE DISPLAY LIST SHOW TEST (for manufacturing use only) Table 4–2 provides a summary of the DECbridge 90 commands. Table 4–2 Summary of DECbridge 90 Commands Command Argument and Parameter DEFINE BRIDGE AGE age BRIDGE FLOOD...
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Table 4–2 (Cont.) Summary of DECbridge 90 Commands Command Argument and Parameter PORT port number ENABLE DISABLE PROTOCOL protocol number FILTER ALL protocol identifier FILTER BACKBONE protocol identifier FILTER GROUP protocol identifier FILTER WORKGROUP protocol identifier FORWARD protocol identifier NONE...
A protocol number is a decimal index into the protocol database. The valid range is 1 to 16. A port number is either a DECbridge 90 port, or the number of a port on a repeater installed in the DEChub backplane with the bridge. The DECbridge backbone port is the single digit 1.
DEFINE BRIDGE FLOOD DISABLE SET BRIDGE FLOOD DISABLE Disables flood mode in the DECbridge 90. Attempting to disable flood mode with a work group larger than 200 stations (that is, when the Work Group Size Exceeded light is on) will not be successful.
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DEFINE BRIDGE FLOOD ENABLE SET BRIDGE FLOOD ENABLE Enables flood mode in the bridge. Refer to the DECbridge 90 Operation section and the previous flood commands for a description of flood mode. DEFINE BRIDGE HUB_MANAGEMENT DISABLE SET BRIDGE HUB_MANAGEMENT DISABLE Disables all repeater management through the DECbridge 90 unit for DECrepeater 90 units in the DEChub 90 backplane.
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Disables the use of the bridge spanning tree autoconfiguration algorithm for your DECbridge 90 unit and prevents forwarding of any spanning tree network messages. If spanning tree is disabled, the DECbridge 90 will not detect loops in the network bridge topology. If a loop is configured while the spanning tree algorithm is disabled, the network will be quickly saturated by the forwarding of messages around this loop.
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Use the SET PROTOCOL NONE command to delete protocol filters. Generally, use the SET PROTOCOL FILTER ALL command to stop unwanted protocols rather than to list explicitly the permitted protocols. Managing the DECbridge 90 4–13...
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Displays the nonvolatile bridge-wide parameters. LIST PROTOCOL protocol number[, protocol number] Shows either "unused," or the protocol type value, for every entry in the nonvolatile protocol database. This filter becomes the active filter when the DECbridge 90 is reset. 4–14 Managing the DECbridge 90...
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If indexes are omitted, the addresses of all stations in the work group are listed. When the DECbridge 90 is used with repeaters, the hub slot number and repeater port to which each station is attached are also displayed.
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Displays all the MOP counters, bridge counters, and spanning tree state kept by the DECbridge 90. Port 1 is the backbone port; port 2 is the work group port. The spanning tree port states are listed in the following table:...
Numbers range from 1 to 16. If numbers are omitted in the command, all 16 protocol filters are displayed. The LIST command shows the filters that are loaded when the DECbridge 90 is reset. SHOW REPEATER [[hub slot number,] slot number] Shows the type of repeater and the port status for each port on that repeater.
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Example 1: Keeping VAXcluster traffic out of your work group. If you have an entire Local Area VAXcluster (LAVc) on the work group side of the DECbridge 90, you can define the filtering with the following command: DECbridge> DEFINE PROTOCOL 0 FILTER ALL 60-07 This prevents any cluster traffic from entering or leaving the work group.
A detailed discussion of RBMS features is beyond the scope of this manual; the user needs only to be aware that the DECbridge 90 may be managed by software using the RBMS protocol. Refer to Appendix B, Related Documentation, for further information about ordering the Remote Bridge Management Software Guide.
Error Messages Table 4–4 describes the DECbridge 90 error messages. Table 4–4 DECbridge 90 Error Messages Error Message Description Address n: unused address Indicates that the address number n does not contain a station address. Confirmation error - password Indicates that the second entry or verification of...
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Indicates an attempt to configure contradictory removed setting any FILTER protocol filtering rules in the current database. Before the DECbridge 90 will accept a filter request, you must enter the SHOW PROTOCOL command to identify protocol filters marked as FORWARD, and remove them with the SET PROTOCOL n NONE command.
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DECbridge 90. Hub h slot s unrecognized type Indicates that repeater type in hub h slot s is not known to the DECbridge 90, but the repeater ports can still be managed with the DECbridge 90. No repeater responds Indicates that there is no repeater installed in the requested hub slots, or the repeater is not functioning.
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This occurs when you attempt to execute a SET or revision DEFINE BRIDGE FLOOD command on a bridge with a firmware revision of 1 (DECbridge 90 V1.4) but have loaded V2.5 flash EPROM. The old hardware revision does not support flood mode. These version numbers appear in the MOP console connection banner.
This chapter describes how to troubleshoot the DECbridge 90 unit. The indicators on the front panel of the DECbridge 90 are used to troubleshoot bridge and work group problems. Figure 1–2 in Chapter 1 shows the location of the indicator lights and connectors on the DECbridge 90.
Bridge is forwarding. None. ThinWire ports of the DECbridge 90 are not terminated internally. External 50-ohm terminations are required. Can be on, off, or blinking depending on the amount of network traffic. (continued on next page)
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There is activity on the LAN. None. Activity ThinWire ports of the DECbridge 90 are not terminated internally. External 50-ohm terminations are required. Can be on, off, or blinking depending on the amount of network traffic. Light remains on for approximately 10 minutes after bridge discovers that the work group no longer exceeds the 200-station limit.
Replace a defective bridge power cable with a new cable. Check for a short circuit in the AUI transceiver cable. Remove power from the DECbridge 90 and remove the transceiver cable, and reconnect power to the bridge. If the power light now comes on, repair the transceiver or transceiver cable.
Verify that the bridge is installed in slot 8 of the backplane. not work in the backplane Customer Services Option If you need additional assistance in troubleshooting the DECbridge 90 or if you need to replace the unit, call your local Digital Services representative or vendor. Troubleshooting 5–5...
Specifications and Parts List This appendix provides the specifications and parts list for the DECbridge 90 unit. Specifications for the DECbridge 90 are divided into the following categories: • Physical dimensions • Environmental (operating and shipping) specifications • Power specifications Table A–1 lists the physical dimensions of the DECbridge 90.
Convectively cooled. A minimum of 10 cm (4 in) of space must be provided on both ends of the unit for adequate air flow. The DECbridge 90 is designed to operate in an office environment. It cannot be installed in an air plenum.
Parts List Table A–5 lists the kit contents for a standalone installation. Table A–5 Standalone Installation Kit Contents Part Order Number DECbridge 90 kit: DEWGB-AA • Power supply with 2.4 m (8 ft) dc cable attached (H7827-AA) • AC power cord •...
Remote Bridge Management Software Guide AA-FY93C-TE Ordering Information Customers may order documents by phone or mail. Continental USA and Puerto Rico Call 1-800-258-1710 or send mail to: Digital Equipment Corporation Peripherals and Supplies Group P.O. Box CS2008 Nashua, NH 03061 Related Documentation B–1...
Send mail to: Digital Equipment Corporation Attn: Accessories and Supplies Business Manager c/o local subsidiary or Digital-approved distributor Digital Personnel Digital personnel may order these documents from: Digital Equipment Corporation 444 Whitney Street Northboro, MA 01532 Attn: Publishing and Circulation Services (NRO3/W3) Order Processing Section B–2 Related Documentation...
Index Commands (cont’d) descriptions, 4–9 to 4–17 Configuration Accessing MOP rules and guidelines, 2–3 from ULTRIX systems, 4–6 Connections from VMS systems, 4–4 AUI, 1–2, 3–5 Activity indicators, 1–3 to 1–5 backbone port, 2–1 after self-test, 3–7 power supply, 3–7 for use in troubleshooting, 5–1 to 5–5 redundant, 2–5 Address number, 4–9...
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Filtering Network Control Program (NCP), 4–4 boot requests, 4–18 commands, 4–13 destination address, 4–1 Password protocols, 4–1, 4–17 to 4–19 defining, 4–6 service announcements, 4–19 length, 4–11 VAXcluster traffic, 4–18 logging in, 4–6 Flood mode, 1–2, 2–5, 4–1 reset button, 1–4 Physical dimensions, A–1 Port number, 4–9 Help command, 4–7...
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Maintenance Operations Protocol (MOP) option, 4–6 ThinWire connections 10Base2, 1–2 ThinWire ports termination requirements, 3–2 Maintenance Operations Protocol Transceiver cable (MOP), 4–4 connection, 3–5 Troubleshooting, 5–1 to 5–5 error messages, 4–20 Wall-mount installation See Installation, standalone Work group ULTRIX size, 1–2, 2–3 to 2–5 Index–3...
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