Kalpana EtherSwitch EPS-2115M

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ETHERNET SWITCHING PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR WORKGROUP

The Kalpana EtherSwitch EPS-2115M is a modular 15-port Ethernet switch that increases network throughput at the backbone and workgroup. The EPS-2115M is designed to boost Ethernet performance by interconnecting multiple devices - hubs, EtherSwitches, routers, and servers - over multiple media types while maintaining reliability and flexibility.

The EtherSwitch EPS-2115M establishes a matrix of paths between the device's 15 Ethernet Packet Processors (EPPs), each of which supports either half or full duplex Ethernet. In half duplex mode, the EPS-2115M utilizes Kalpana's parallel LAN tech- nology to support up to seven simultaneous 10 Mbps conversations for an effective network bandwidth of 70 Mbps. In full duplex mode, the EPS-2115M provides up to 15 conversational pairs for a total of 150 Mbps bandwidth. In combination with Kalpana's EtherChannel, multiple EtherSwitches can be stacked to provide up to 60 switched ports. When combined with Kalpana's NetWare Loadable Module Switch.NLM, the EtherSwitch can provide balanced network traffic connection of up to 60 Mbps to servers.

Kalpana's unique "on-the-fly" switching technology reduces packet latency time to 40 microseconds as compared to 1,200 microseconds by store-and-forward devices. This capability allows EtherSwitches to be cascaded to deliver 60 switched ports without risk of network time-outs and sluggish response times.

The EPS-2115M provides hot-swappable modules supporting 1OBase-T, 1OBase2, and 1OBase-FL. With optional hot swap dual load sharing power supplies, the EPS- 2115M meets the reliability needs of today's demanding network architectures. The EPS-2115M can be managed by Kalpana's SwitchVision network management application or any other network management application that supports SNMP. A RISC processor insures the SNMP requests are handled efficiently and quickly. New to the EPS-2115M is the Kalpana SwitchProbe port, which when connected to a network analyzer. has the ability to "listen" on any one of the fifteen EtherSwitch ports.

ENHANCED FEATURES

Two Models Available.

A Standard EPS-2115M and an Enhanced version are available. The Standard version includes support for SNMP, Spanning Tree, and SwitchProbe. The Enhanced version adds support for Full Duplex Ethernet, EtherChannel, Virtual EtherSwitch, and Address Filtering. Both models support down-loadable code via a serial connection or using bootp with TFTP (available 1/95), Telnet (available 1/95), hot swap modules and optional redundant power supplies.

Full Duplex Ethernet

Ethernet was originally conceived to operate in a half duplex communication mode since it was designed to run over coaxial cabling. With the advent of 1OBase-T, ethernet is a full duplex implementation operating in half duplex mode. The 1OBase-T standard allows ethernet to function in full duplex mode, allowing point-to-point communicating devices to transmit and receive at the same time. This provides a collision free communication link between both devices which effectively doubles ethernet communication to 20 Mbps.

Several ethernet adapter vendors (IBM, Compaq, Znyx, Thomas Conrad, Cabletron, DEC, Xircom, Cogent Technology) recognize the added performance that can be gained from Full Duplex when installed in network servers. Independent studies show performance improvements from 20% to 70%.

Kalpana's NLM

For Novell NetWare environments further network performance can be obtained with the use of Kalpana's NLM. This NLM allows the bandwidth to a server to be easily scaled from 10 Mbps to 80 Mbps with up to four ethernet NICs installed. This enables the network manager to scale the bandwidth to the server as network demands dictate. EtherChanneL EtherSwitches can be interconnected in a distributed or stacked star configuration to create a Kalpana Switching Architecture. EtherChannel allows multiple EtherSwitch ports to be designated as EtherChannel ports for interconnecting EtherSwitches. The user assigns from two to seven ports to an EtherChannel. This provides a high speed interconnect link of 140 Mbps when the EtherChannel is configured for Full Duplex ethernet, while retaining low switch to switch latency of 40 usec.

Address Filtering

Network managers often need to restrict certain users from communicating with other users. Address Filtering allows the network manager to specify up to thirty destination ethernet address destinations - unicast, multicast or broadcast addresses - to be filtered at the source port.

Spanning Tree ProtocoL

The EPS-2115M supports the IEEE 802.ld Spanning Tree Protocol standard and the Bridge MIB for management. The standard was developed to provide path redundancy in a network configuration while preventing undesirable loops.

Virtual EtherSwitch

Virtual EtherSwitch is the first step towards providing Virtual LANs in an ethernet network. Virtual EtherSwitch allows the network manager to assign specific ports of the EtherSwitch to configure up to seven Virtual LANS. Designated Virtual LANs communicate to each other via an extemal router.

SwitchProbe

SwitchProbe allows the network manager to monitor any of the 15 ports with a single protocol analyzer or RMON probe. The network manager specifies the port to be monitored via the console or SNMP, and that port is immediately connected to the protocol analyzer. This provides a tremendous cost savings compared to installing protocol analyzers or RMON probes on each segment.

Ethernet Packet Processor Modules

Ethernet Packet Processor modules support hot swap installation, providing connectivity to 1OBase-T, 1OBase2 and 1OBase-FL networks. Each module supports five switched ports with diagnostic LEDs. The 1OBase-T module supports an AUI port and an MDI/X switch for one port. The 1OBase2 module supports an AUI port, and either intemal or extemal termination. The 1OBase-FL module supports fiber ST connections.

Specifications

  Ports                    15 ports maximum
  Modules                  Five port modules 1OBase-T, 1OBase-FL, 1OBase2
  Buffersperport           256 full size packets per port
  Addresses                1,700 addresses per poirt, 6,000 per system
  Address table            Transparent, automatic self leaming
  Software updates         Flash PROM - serial via X-Modem, in-band
                           bootp/TFrP (available 1/95)
  Filter/forward rate      223,200 pps / 223,200 pps
  Switching delay          40 psecs from first input bit to first output bil
  Protocol Support         Transparent to all higher level protocols such as
                           NFS, XNS, IPX, TCP/IP, DECnet, AppleTalk       ... etc.
  Network Management       SNMP-MIBII,BridgeMIB,andKalpana
                           extensions, Telnet (available 1/95)
                           RS-232 out-of-band support
  Line voltage             90-264 volts 47-75 Hz; 2A @ 120v; IA @ 220v
  Dimensions               Length 13.4" (34cm); width 17" (43cm);
                           height 5. I" (13cm).
  Weight                   19 lbs (8.6 kg)
  Environmental            10' C to 40' C, humidity to 90% non condensing
  Emissions                FCC Class A, EN55022 B, VCCI Class I
  Safety                   UL, C-UL, TUV
  Warranty                 One year from date of purchase
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