SAINT, it is used for non-Ethernet applications--including FDDI, ATM LANE,
Token Ring, and the Network Management Processor on the Supervisor engine.
indicated by various symptoms, including errors in Token Ring switching.
ent pun, the Catalyst 5000 is no different. In switching, however, EARL
refers to the Encoded Address Recognition Logic ASIC. This chip works
with the bus arbitration system to control access to the data-switching bus.
EARL also controls the destination ports of packet transfers.
ASIC determines the destination port of frames and maintains the timer for
aging entries out of the forwarding table. By default, entries are discarded
after 300 seconds, although the administrator can change this value. Valid
parameters are limited between 1 and 20 minutes. The EARL can maintain
a table of up to 128,000 addresses. As such, the EARL handles forwarding
and filtering decisions within the switch.
nostic process. Understanding the significant function of the EARL in the Catalyst
line and its role in all switching can assist in hardware-related debugging.
define memberships based on individual ports, as administered by either a
physical port or a dynamic relationship to the MAC address.
hubs and switches. However, VLAN technology adds to the initial costs and
may require additional training.