Token Ring Modules

Catalyst 5000 family switches support both 4- and 16-Mbps Token Ring networks. This chapter describes the Token Ring module (WS-X5030) and the Fiber Token Ring module (WS-X5031) and consists of these sections:

For specifications on the Token Ring module, see Appendix A, "Specifications." For information on configuring the Token Ring module, refer to the Software Configuration Guide for your switch.

For information on installing Token ring modules, refer to Chapter 3, "Switching Module Installation."

Token Ring modules run their own software image in addition to the supervisor engine software image. Refer to the Catalyst 5000 Family Token Ring Module Configuration Note or the Catalyst 5000 Family Fiber Token Ring Module Configuration Note for further information.

Token Ring Module (WS-X5030)

The Token Ring module (WS-X5030), shown in Figure 8-1, has 16-shielded RJ-45 connectors for unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) or foil twisted-pair (FTP) copper wire Token Ring connections. These ports allow full- or half-duplex connections to other switches, hubs, or end nodes.

Figure 8-1: Token Ring Module (WS-X5030)

The Catalyst 5000 family Token Ring module provides the following features:

16 Token Ring ports, individually programmable and capable of running in 4- or 16-Mbps rates, full-or half-duplex, acting as either a concentrator or end station
Frame forwarding between ports and modules
Concentrator and bridge-relay functions that enable switching between ports
Switching features:
- Full bridge-mode support: source-route bridging, source-route switching, and source-route transparent bridging
- Store-and-forward frame-forwarding mode
- Dedicated Token Ring (DTR) support (IEEE 802.5R)
- Ability to transmit in Transmit Immediate (TXI) mode (also referred to as full- duplex mode), increasing the aggregate bandwidth to 32 Mbps
- Priority queues for multimedia traffic
- Address and protocol filters
- All-Routes Explorer Reduction
- Spanning-Tree Protocol support: IBM, IEEE 802.1d, Cisco
Virtual LAN (VLAN) support
- Up to 1024 VLANs per switch
- Up to 63 emulated LANs per ATM link
- VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Version 2
Management Utilities and Support
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SMNP)-based management
- CiscoView graphical monitoring
- TrafficDirector for Remote Monitoring (RMON)

The Catalyst 5000 family Token Ring module requires Catalyst 5000 family supervisor engine software release 3.1(1) or later.

The LEDs provide status information for the module and the individual port connections. The LEDs are described in Table 8-1.

Table 8-1: Token Ring Module (WS-X5030) LED
Descriptions

LED	State	Description
STATUS		Indicates a series of self-tests and diagnostic tests.
	Green	All the tests pass.
	Red	A test other than an individual port test failed.
	Orange	System boot, self-test diagnostics running, or the module is disabled.
Status		Indicates the port status.
	Green	The port is operational.
	Orange	The link has been disabled by software.
	Flashing orange	The link is bad or has been disabled because of a hardware failure.
	Briefly flashes orange	Diagnostics are running on the port.
Activity		Indicates the port activity.
	Green	The port is activity.
	Off	The port is idle.

Fiber Token Ring Module (WS-X5031)

The fiber Token Ring module (WS-X5031), shown in Figure 8-2, has 16 Volition VF-45 socket connectors for Token Ring connections. The 16 ports on the fiber Token Ring module support 62.5 micron multimode fixed fiber connections through ST to Volition VF-45 or SC to Volition VF-45 patch cords.

Figure 8-2: Fiber Token Ring Module (WS-X5031)

Figure 8-3 shows the Volition VF-45 connector.

Figure 8-3: Volition VF-45 Connector

The Catalyst 5000 family fiber Token Ring module provides the same features as the Catalyst 5000 family Token Ring module with the addition of ring in/ring out ports.

The Catalyst 5000 family fiber Token Ring module requires Catalyst 5000 family supervisor engine software software release 3.1(1) or later.

The LEDs provide status information for the module and the individual port connections. The LEDs are described in Table 8-2.

Table 8-2: Fiber Token Ring Module (WS-X5031) LED Descriptions

LED	State	Description
STATUS		Indicates a series of self-tests and diagnostic tests.
	Green	All the tests pass.
	Red	A test other than an individual port test failed.
	Orange	System boot, self-test diagnostics running, or the module is disabled.
INS¹		Indicates whether the port is inserted into ring.
	Green	The port is inserted into the ring.
	Off	The port is not inserted into the ring.
ACT²		Indicates port activity.
	Green	The port is active; the port is transmitting data.
	Off	The port is idle.

¹INS=inserted
²ACT=activity

Ring In/Ring Out Ports

The ports on the Catalyst 5000 family fiber Token Ring module allow you to attach the module to a traditional main ring path coming from either a multistation access unit (MSAU) or a controlled access unit (CAU). You can configure any of the 16 ports to connect to the ring in/out ports of a MSAU or CAU.

The module has a loopback function that ensures that there is no break in the attached main ring, even if a port is disabled or the switch is powered off. When you attach a cable from the RI port of a MSAU port to one of the two switch ports, you join the primary and backup in a MAU/CAU main ring system. Connecting the other end of the main ring to the other switch port creates redundant paths because the two switch ports are connected to the same segment.

You must enable the Spanning-Tree Protocol to place one port in forward mode and the other in blocked mode. If there is a break in the main ring, Spanning-Tree Protocol places both ports in forward mode, and all MAC addresses on both segments are relearned.

Note You cannot automatically verify whether the port has been connected according to the configuration. Any errors, such as attaching a port to a normal MAU port when the fiber Token Ring module port has been configured for RI/RO, cause a complete disruption of the ring to which the port is attached. Therefore, be careful when using the RI/RO feature.

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