BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch



The BayStack™ Ethernet Workgroup Switch™ from Bay Networks brings performance-enhancing switching solutions to high-density wiring closets, providing a simple, cost-effective method for segmenting networks to improve performance and eliminate data bottlenecks.

The Ethernet Workgroup Switch's industry-standard IEEE 802.3i 10BASE-T ports allow for seamless integration into any existing Ethernet environment. Each port delivers a dedicated 10 megabits per second (Mbps) of bandwidth to individual network segments and power users, allowing multiple data transfers to take place simultaneously. As a result, the switch relieves the congestion found on traditional shared-media Ethernet networks, where all users share a single 10 Mbps of bandwidth.

In addition to the 10 Mbps switch ports, the BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch provides an optional 100 Mbps 100BASE-T Fast Ethernet switched port to support high-speed connections to high-utilization servers and backbones. Plug-in Media Adapters offering 100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX connectivity are available for supporting 100BASE-T Fast Ethernet over Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or fiber optic cabling. The adapters provide the media flexibility required to connect Ethernet Workgroup Switches to BayStack 100BASE-T hubs or network-center based backbone switches such as the 28000 Series™ Ethernet/Fast Ethernet switches.

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch is integrated into the Optivity® family of network management solutions from Bay Networks, enabling complete Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitoring and control. With Optivity, network administrators can manage their entire network, including all hubs, switches, and routers, from a single management station.

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch represents a critical component of the Bay Networks high-performance Ethernet strategy. Combined with other BayStack products, including 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T stackable hubs, the Remote Annex™ 2000 Communications Server, and the Access Node Router, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch offers a simple, affordable way to add high performance to existing Ethernet networks. Working with other Bay Networks Fast Ethernet products, including 28000 Series Ethernet/Fast Ethernet Switches and Fast Ethernet interfaces on the Access Stack Node (ASN™), Backbone Link Node (BLN®), and Backbone Concentrator Node (BCN®) routers, the BayStack family contributes to the industry's most complete Fast Ethernet solution.

Benefits

Improves Overall Network Performance

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch immediately improves network performance by eliminating the bandwidth contention found on traditional Ethernet networks. Frame switching allows multiple conversations to take place simultaneously, improving overall network response times without requiring any changes to the existing cabling infrastructure.

Reduces Network Segmentation Costs

Featuring support for up to 4,096 MAC addresses, the BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch is a true segment switch capable of segmenting and supporting large networks. Adding the Ethernet Workgroup Switch to any existing Ethernet LAN offers a cost-effective method for segmenting network traffic while introducing Fast Ethernet technology to the network.

Delivers Affordable Performance Enhancement

Low cost and easy implementation mean the BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch can be deployed anywhere performance is an issue. The switch offers a highly cost-effective alternative to routers for cost-conscious organizations.

Simplifies Evolution to 100BASE-T

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch offers a simple, affordable way to begin connecting existing Ethernet networks to Fast Ethernet. Working with other Fast Ethernet solutions from Bay Networks, including the 28000 Series Ethernet/Fast Ethernet switches, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch plays an important role in the industry's most complete 100BASE-T strategy.

Integrated with BayStack Ethernet Product Family

Working with other BayStack products such as the 100BASE-T and 10BASE-T stackable hubs, the Remote Annex 2000 Communications Server, and the Access Node router family, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch contributes a key element to one of the industry's most complete, cost-effective high-performance Ethernet solutions.

Features

Ethernet Workgroup Switch Description

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch offers a compact, low-cost, stackable solution for adding Ethernet switching to existing network environments.

The Ethernet Workgroup Switch features six IEEE 802.3i 10BASE-T-compatible RJ-45 modular receptacles for supporting 10 Mbps Ethernet transmissions over UTP cabling (see Figure 1). Dedicated RISC processors ensure each port is capable of supporting full wire speeds simultaneously, even under heavy load conditions.

In addition to the 10BASE-T ports, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch also supports an optional Fast Ethernet port via a plug-in Media Adapter to provide high-speed connections to servers, shared Fast Ethernet hubs, or backbone switches. A built-in daughterboard, installed in the field or at the factory, is required for the switch to support 100 Mbps operations.

Two versions of the Fast Ethernet interface adapter are available. The 100BASE-TX adapter features an RJ-45 modular receptacle for supporting 100 Mbps transmissions over UTP Category 5 cabling, while the 100BASE-FX adapter offers an integrated SC-type connector for supporting Fast Ethernet over 62.5/125 µm multimode fiber optic cabling.

Each BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch includes a single redundant power supply unit (RPSU) dc power input connector on the back panel, allowing the connection of an optional backup power source to guard against a potential primary power supply failure. The RPSU is capable of fully supporting the Ethernet Workgroup Switch under worst-case conditions.

Figure 1 | Baystack Ethernet Workgroup Switch


Figure 1


Figure 2 | Wiring Closet Segmentation Using the Baystack Ethernet Workgroup Switch


Figure 2

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch also includes a front-panel DB-9 male RS-232 local console/service port for local setup, configuration, and diagnostic operations. In addition, a series of front-panel LED indicators report individual link status, as well as power, fault, and redundant power supply status.

BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch Management

The BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch is integrated with the Optivity family of network management solutions, enabling complete monitoring and control of all network hubs, switches, routers, and endstations from a single console.

Each Ethernet Workgroup Switch provides Bay Networks Advanced agent functionality, including comprehensive performance, fault, and diagnostic management capabilities. The Advanced agent also supports the Autotopology™ dynamic mapping feature, which provides a variety of system-generated views of the network topology on the Optivity management console. Future Advanced agent functionality will be provided through the Bay Networks Software Services Program.

The Ethernet Workgroup Switch also supports the IETF standard bridge MIB (RFC 1493) and Ethernet-like interface MIB (RFC 1398) on a per-port basis, facilitating complete monitoring and control in any standards-based management environment.

Ethernet Workgroup Switch Applications

Most Ethernet LANs today are single-segment shared 10 Mbps networks supporting small workgroups or departments. Increasing user demands, combined with faster processors, more powerful applications, and increasingly powerful workstations, have put a tremendous strain on these shared-media networks, resulting in data bottlenecks and overall sluggish performance.

The Ethernet Workgroup Switch is designed to alleviate such problems, restoring network performance by delivering additional bandwidth where and when it is needed. The Ethernet Workgroup Switch is optimized for three specific applications: wiring closet segmentation, workgroup performance enhancement, and cost-effective 100BASE-T evolution for existing Ethernet networks.

Installed in high-density wiring closets, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch provides individual hubs or various segments within a single hub with dedicated 10 Mbps switched connections. In addition, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch's 100 Mbps interface works with 28000 Series switches in the network center to replace multiple 10 Mbps shared-link backbone connections. The Ethernet Workgroup Switch provides a single high-bandwidth connection to centralized resources such as servers and ASN, BLN, and BCN routers (see Figure 2).

Figure 3 | Workgroup Performance Enhancement Using the Baystack Ethernet Workgroup Switch


Figure 3

In the workgroup, where shared 10 Mbps server links quickly become saturated with traffic, adding an Ethernet Workgroup Switch immediately improves performance by providing individual workgroup hubs with dedicated 10 Mbps switched connections to relieve congestion. Meanwhile, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch's 100 Mbps interface offers a high-bandwidth "big pipe" connection to high-utilization servers, providing sufficient throughput for heavy load conditions. Individual workstations running high-bandwidth applications can also be segmented from the workgroup and given dedicated 10 Mbps switched connec-tions on the Ethernet Workgroup Switch, further reducing network traffic and improving performance (see Figure 3).

For networks planning a move to 100BASE-T, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch represents an excellent, low-cost method for introducing the technology into existing Ethernet environments.

The entry-level switch supports simple segmentation within the network, providing individual hubs and workstations running high-bandwidth applications with dedicated 10 Mbps switched connections. As demands increase, the Ethernet Workgroup Switch's 100 Mbps interface can be used to provide a high-bandwidth connection to a central Fast Ethernet repeater in the network center, which provides shared 100 Mbps links to centralized servers. This configuration sets the stage for adding 28000 Series switches in the network center, delivering a high-performance switched solution that alleviates network bottlenecks as performance requirements grow (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 | Evolving to 100BASE-T


Figure 4

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications for the BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch are shown in Table 1.


Table 1 | BayStack Ethernet Workgroup Switch Technical Specifications

Network Protocol and Standards Compatibility IEEE 802.3i 10BASE-T
IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-T
Data Rate
  Attachment Ports (6) 10 Mbps
  High-Speed Port (1) 100 Mbps
Electrical Specifications
  Input Power 160 W
  Thermal Rating 550 Btu/hr
  AC Line Frequency 47-63 Hz
  Input Voltage (rms) 90-264 V ac
  Volt Amperes Rating 250 VA
Physical Specifications (H) 2.57 in. x (W) 17.25 in. x (D) 11.18 in.
(H) 6.53 cm x (W) 43.82 cm x (D) 20.4 cm
Weight 8 lbs (4 kg)
Environmental Specifications
  Operating Temperature 5° to 40°C
  Storage Temperature -25° to 70°C
  Operating Humidity 85% maximum relative humidity, noncondensing
  Storage Humidity 95% maximum relative humidity, noncondensing
  Operating Altitude 10,000 ft (3,000 m) maximum
  Storage Altitude 10,000 ft (3,000 m) maximum
Electromagnetic Emissions
  Meets Requirements of FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Class A
EN 55 022 (CISPR 22:1985), Class A
VCCI Class 1 ITE
Safety Agency Approvals UL Listed (UL 1950)
CSA certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (CSA 22.2 #950)
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