This chapter describes the Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch and the software program that you can use to manage the Catalyst 1600.
The Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch is a stackable, source-routing Token Ring switch that supports the connection of wiring concentrators or lobe stations over either unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP) media at ring speeds of 4 or 16 Mbps. For information about token-ring switching, refer to Appendix B "About Token Ring Switching."
The Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch offers the following features:
- Provides a high-capacity interconnection between multiple token rings at ring speeds of 4 or 16 Mbps
- Forwards frames with negligible interstation latency by using a shared memory architecture that allows the Catalyst 1600 to switch packets between ports without using the store-and-forward method
- Supports the configuration of virtual LANs, which makes moves and changes to the network easier to administer and support
- Supports broadcast-control strategies, which enable you to reduce the proportion of bandwidth occupied by broadcast traffic and reduce the possibility of broadcast storms
- Provides for the direct connection of network servers
The basic configuration of the Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch is shown in Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1: Front and Rear View of the Catalyst 1600 Token Ring Switch
The Catalyst 1600 Token Ring switch is supplied with TrueView Catalyst 1600 Manager, a management application that enables you to manage the Catalyst 1600.
TrueView Catalyst 1600 Manager enables you to do the following:
- View the status of the Catalyst 1600, and check the LEDs and LCD as they appear on the front panel of the device
- Manage Token Ring switch ports and source-routing information
- Monitor traffic on the Catalyst 1600
- Download boot code and run-time microcode to the Catalyst 1600
- Create virtual LANs to define a logical network structure that is independent of the physical layout, and control the forwarding of broadcast packets
For information about installing and using TrueView Catalyst 1600 Manager, refer to the TrueView Catalyst 1600 Manager User Guide.
