Lantronix LSB4 User manual

The information in this guide may change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no re-
sponsibility for any errors which may appear in this guide.
DEC, thickwire, thinwire, VMS, VT100, and ULTRIX are trademarks of Digital Equip-
ment Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T. Ethernet is a trademark of
XEROX. NetWare is a trademark of Novell Corp. AppleTalk, Chooser and Macintosh are
trademarks of Apple Computer Corp.
Copyright 1994, Lantronix. All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book
may be transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written
permission of Lantronix. Printed in the United States of America.
The revision date for this manual is September 28, 1994.
Part Number: 900-040
WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference when operating in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and
used in accordance with this guide, may cause harmful interference to radio communica-
tions.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which
case the user, at his or her own expense, will be required to take whatever measures may
be required to correct the interference.
Warning:ChangesormodificationstothisdevicenotexplicitlyapprovedbyLantronixwill
void the user's authority to operate this device.
Cet appareil doit se soumettre avec la section 15 des statuts et règlements de FCC. Le fonc-
tionnement est subjecté aux conditions suivantes:
(1) Cet appareil ne doit pas causer une interférence malfaisante.
(2) Cet appareil doît accepter n'importé quelle interférence reìue qui peut causer une
opération indésirable.

LSB4 Installation Guide
For Lantronix LSB4 Ethernet Switch

i
Contents
1
Introduction
What the LSB4 Does............................................................................... 1-1
Advantages of the LSB4......................................................................... 1-2
Reduction of Packet Traffic................................................. 1-2
Management of Packet Traffic............................................ 1-3
Initial LSB4 Configuration .................................................................... 1-3
Networks and Protocols Supported .................................................... 1-4
LSB4 vs. Other Methods ........................................................................ 1-5
2
Installation
Installation Instructions......................................................................... 2-1
Initializing the LSB4............................................................................... 2-4
Initial LSB4 Configuration .................................................................... 2-6
Changing System Passwords................................................................ 2-7
IP Address Configuration ..................................................................... 2-8
Power-up Troubleshooting................................................................. 2-10

ii
3
Set-up and Operation
Accessing the LSB4................................................................................. 3-1
Connections from TCP/IP Hosts ....................................... 3-2
Connections from VMS Hosts ............................................ 3-6
Connections from Netware Hosts...................................... 3-7
Connections from Macintosh Hosts using AppleTalk.... 3-9
Editing Command Entries..................................................................... 3-9
Editing Keys .......................................................................... 3-9
Automatic Command Completion .................................. 3-11
Common Configuration Changes...................................................... 3-12
Password Protection .......................................................... 3-12
System Configuration ........................................................ 3-13
Customizing Serial Console Port Settings ...................... 3-15
Switch Configuration......................................................... 3-16
Filter Configuration............................................................ 3-18
A
Technical Support
B
Spanning Tree Algorithm
C
Pinouts
D
SNMP Support
E
Updating LSB4 Software
F
LSB4 Specifications

iii
G
Warranty
Glossary
Index

iv

1
Introduction
Introduction
What the LSB4 Does .................................................................................. 1-1
Advantages of the LSB4 ............................................................................ 1-2
Reduction of Packet Traffic ........................................................ 1-2
Management of Packet Traffic................................................... 1-3
Initial LSB4 Configuration........................................................................ 1-3
Networks and Protocols Supported........................................................ 1-4
LSB4 vs. Other Methods............................................................................ 1-5

LSB4 Installation Guide Introduction
1-1
Introduction
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of the Lantronix Model LSB4 Switch.
This chapter gives a conceptual introduction to the LSB4. Later chapters
will cover installation and operation of the switch. For detailed informa-
tion on LSB4 configuration and commands, refer to the
LSB4
Reference
Manual
.
The terms
bridge
and
switch
are used interchangeably in this manual;
they are equivalent in meaning.
What the LSB4 Does
The LSB4 switch switches packets between different local area network
segments. The different segments are defined by where the LSB4 is placed.
A local area network can be divided into four segments.
When a packet is received, the LSB4 completes the following steps:
1.
The address is compared to an internal table, which con-
tains the source and destination addresses of the different
devices on the network. If the source Ethernet address of
the packet (the address of the Ethernet where the packet
originated) is not in the table, it is added to it.
2.
The destination Ethernet address of the packet (where the
packet is going) is examined. If the destination Ethernet
address matches the current Ethernet, the packet is pre-
sumed to be at its final destination, and is discarded.
3.
If the destination Ethernet address is recorded in the ad-
dress table as one of another segment, or the destination
Ethernet address is not listed in the table (not known), the
packet will be forwarded to another segment. At this
point, the packet is compared to any user-defined
filters
associated with that LAN port.
User-defined filters can permit or deny packet forwarding based on the
packetÕs network protocol, source or destination Ethernet address, or
data patterns within the packet.
NOTE
1chapternumber
NOTE

Introduction LSB4 Installation Guide
1-2
Introduction
Advantages of the LSB4
Dividing a LAN into segments has the following advantages:
♦
Reduction of packet traffic
♦
Management of packet traffic
Reduction of Packet Traffic
The LSB4 is designed to be connected to an Ethernet; it will divide the
Ethernet into 4 network segments. The LSB4 will isolate each segmentÕs lo-
cal packet traffic; in other words, packets that are not destined for another
segment of the network will not pass through the switch. This reduces un-
wanted packet traffic on other segments of the network.
Figure 1-1 illustrates the use of the LSB4.
Figure 1-1: LANs With and Without LSB4
LAN Without Switch LAN With Switch
Sun Sun MicroVAXMicroVAX
LSB4

LSB4 Installation Guide Introduction
1-3
Introduction
Introduction
In the Local Area Network without a switch [Figure 1-1], incoming pack-
ets are examined by all hosts connected to the network. In the Local Area
Network with the LSB4 installed, the only traffic on the Sun segment of the
switch will be between the Suns plus any traffic specifically directed to a
VAX or directed to a Sun from a VAX. The same applies to the VAX seg-
ment of the network.
Management of Packet Traffic
The LSB4 does not add or change any of the information in the packets that
passes through the switch. However, it can be configured to regulate the
passage of certain packet traffic through the use of
filters
. Filters prevent
the passage of particular packets from one segment to another.
For more information about filters, see the Filter Commands chapter of
the LSB4 Reference Manual.
Initial LSB4 Configuration
When the switch boots up, it will be configured in the following manner:
♦
Automatic filtering and forwarding of packets will
take place. To customize packet filtering, see the
Filter
Commands
chapter of the LSB4 Reference Manual.
♦
The Spanning Tree Algorithm will be enabled. This
can be disabled or customized to particular needs; see
Appendix B,
Spanning Tree Algorithm
for more infor-
mation.
To view diagnostic information as the LSB4 boots up, a terminal must be
connected to the LSB4. A serial cable is shipped with the switch; this may
be used to connect a terminal to the serial console port.
NOTE

Introduction LSB4 Installation Guide
1-4
Introduction
Networks and Protocols Supported
The LSB4 supports and processes packets for any Ethernet network. The
operation of the LSB4 is fully compliant with both the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
specification and the IEEE 802.1d Bridge specification.
The LSB4 operates independently of the different protocols used in pack-
ets. Unless a particular protocol is specified using the Set/Define Filter
command, the bridge will pay no attention to a packet's protocol.
Remote connections can be made through one of the LAN ports using any
of the following protocols: AppleTalk, NetWare, Telnet/Rlogin, or MOP/
NCP/TSM. (The protocols may be disabled in order to improve perfor-
mance.) In addition to the protocols listed above, the LSB4 responds to
pings and SNMP commands.
See Chapter 3, Set-up and Operation, for more information about log-
ging into the LSB4 through the network.
NOTE

LSB4 Installation Guide Introduction
1-5
Introduction
Introduction
LSB4 vs. Other Methods
A switch differs significantly from other methods of connecting Ethernet
segments together. A few examples of segment connection and the ways
in which they differ from a network switch are discussed in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1: Comparisons to Network Switch
Method of
Segment
Connection
Comparison to Network Switch
Connecting directly to
the local area
network (using a ÒTÓ
or barrel connector)
An Ethernet has maximum cable lengths and maxi-
mum numbers of devices that can be connected. With
a switch installed, each segment connected by the
switch may use the maximum amount of cable length
and maximum number of connected devices.
Connecting segments
with a repeater
A repeater forwards all network traffic, including
problems such as collisions. Rather than automatical-
ly forwarding all traffic, a switch forwards only pack-
ets intended for that particular Ethernet segment.
Nodes no longer receive unwanted traffic; this reduc-
es network traffic on all segments.
Connecting segments
with a router
A router must be configured for the different proto-
cols being used on the network. A switch is unaffect-
ed by the nature or contents of the data in the packets
it receives; it requires no information about the differ-
ent protocols being used on the network.

Introduction LSB4 Installation Guide
1-6
Introduction

2
Installation
Installation
Installation Instructions.............................................................................2-1
Initializing the LSB4...................................................................................2-4
Initial LSB4 Configuration ........................................................................2-6
Changing System Passwords....................................................................2-7
IP Address Configuration .........................................................................2-8
Power-up Troubleshooting.....................................................................2-10

LSB4 Installation Guide Installation
2-1
Introduction
Installation
Installation Instructions
To connect the LSB4 to your Local Area Network, complete the following
steps:
♦
Connect one or all of the LSB4's network ports to an At-
tachment Unit Interface (AUI) cable or to a transceiv-
er.
♦
Connect a terminal to the LSB4's serial console port (op-
tional.) The port is configured at the factory for 9600
baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and one stop bit.
♦
Plug the power cord into the AC input on the LSB4 and
into an AC power source.
See Figure 2-1 on page 2-2 for an illustration of the LSB4.
For connector specifications and configuration, see the LSB4 Reference
Manual.
The LSB4 is configured at the factory to operate in any network configura-
tion. For specific configuration instructions, see Chapter 3,
Set-up and Op-
eration
.
NOTE
2chapternumber

Installation LSB4 Installation Guide
2-2
Installation
Figure 2-1: LSB4 Back and Front Panels
The illustrations on the following page [Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3] are ex-
amples of the placement and connection of the LSB4 to different types of
networks.
LAN Ports Serial Console Port
AC input
AUI 3 Address::
#
AUI 4 Address:
#
Serial
95-250V ~ 50-60Hz 0.5A T2A/250V
CAUTION
For continued protection against
risk of fire, replace only with
same type and ratings of fuse
Made in U.S.A.
Fabriqué in Etats-Unis
This equipment complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) the device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Serial #
LSB4
SER 2 1
LANTRONIX
LSB4
AUI 1 Address::
#
AUI 2 Address:
#
34

LSB4 Installation Guide Installation
2-3
Introduction
Installation
Figure 2-2: Network Configuration Example (
Thickwire
)
Figure 2-3: Network Configuration Example (
Thinwire/10BASE-T
)
Thickwire
10BaseT Hub
Twisted Pair
Macintosh
Netware
File Server
Sun MicroVAX
10Base2
Repeater
Thinwire
Macintosh
Sun
MicroVAX
LSB4
10BaseT Hub
Macintosh
Netware
File Server Sun MicroVAX
Macintosh
Thinwire 10Base2
Repeater
MicroVAX Netware
File Server
LTX-TA
Transceivers LSB4
LTX-2A

Installation LSB4 Installation Guide
2-4
Installation
Initializing the LSB4
Each time the LSB4 is turned on, it will go through an initialization pro-
cess. The process consists of the following steps:
♦
Power-on diagnostic tests will last approximately 5
seconds.
♦
The contents of the LSB4's internal Flash ROM will be
checked for validity and then executed. This will take
approximately thirty seconds.
The LEDs will display as follows:
♦ During power-up diagnostics, the serial and network
port LEDs will display varying patterns depending on
the test being run. If the unit fails power-up diagnos-
tics, it will display a fixed pattern.
If the LEDs display a fixed pattern, contact Lantronix technical support
for additional information.
♦ If the unit passes its power-up diagnostics, all serial
and network port LEDs will show green for three sec-
onds.
♦ When the LSB4 is operational, the serial LED will be
green and blink every second, or more often if the se-
rial console port is being used. The Network Port
LEDs will blink roughly in accordance with the traffic
on the network ports. If there is no activity on a partic-
ular port, its LED will remain off. If there is no trans-
ceiver connected to a port or the port has a faulty
network connection, the Network Port LED will be
solid orange.
NOTE

LSB4 Installation Guide Installation
2-5
Introduction Installation
If there is a problem during the initialization process, the serial LED will
be orange after individualization is complete. If this occurs, see ÒPower-
up TroubleshootingÓ on page 2-10.
If a terminal is attached to the serial console port, text similar to the follow-
ing will be displayed on the terminal during initialization [Figure 2-4].
Figure 2-4: Startup Messages
When all of the above is complete, the LSB4 is running normally.
Lantronix LSB4 Initialization
Boot Rom Version n.n ( Month Day, Year )
Port 1: Ethernet Address: 00-80-A3-xx-xx-xx
Port 2: Ethernet Address: 00-80-A3-xx-xx-xx
Internet Address: (undefined)
Current Diagnostics Report:
RISC: 3051 (4K I/2K D) CPU Speed: 20 MHz
RAM Size: 1 MB Flash Size: 512 K
Flash Version:
n.n Gate Array Rev: n.n
Errors: None
Checking 8 sections from flash:
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) -> ....
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) ->
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) -> ....
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) -> ....
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) ->
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) -> ....
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) -> ....
From address 0x nnn to 0x nnn , nnn bytes) ->
Loaded nnnnnn bytes.
Load Completed - Boot in Progress
%% Lantronix LSB4
%% Ethernet 1 Address: 00-80-A3- xx-xx-xx Internet Address: (Undefi
n
%% Ethernet 2 Address: 00-80-A3- xx-xx-xx
Port 3: Ethernet Address: 00-80-A3-xx-xx-xx
Port 4: Ethernet Address: 00-80-A3-xx-xx-xx
%% Ethernet 3 Address: 00-80-A3-
xx-xx-xx
%% Ethernet 4 Address: 00-80-A3- xx-xx-xx
NOTE

Installation LSB4 Installation Guide
2-6
Installation
If the messages on the previous page do not appear on the terminal, see
Power-up Troubleshooting on page 2-10.
If the characters displayed on the terminal are incoherent, turn the LSB4
off, check the settings on the terminal, the cable connections, and turn the
LSB4 on again.
Initial LSB4 Configuration
The LSB4 will operate properly in all local area networks without the need
for any configuration changes. After the power-up initialization process,
the LSB4 will automatically start learning the different node addresses
connected to its ethernet ports and will start to process traffic within ap-
proximately one minute of power-up.
The LSB4 can be configured further, for example, to filter certain packet
traffic, or to enable logins from other network nodes. Configuration is
done through the use of specific commands. There are several ways to en-
ter these commands:
♦ Connect a terminal to the LSB4's serial console port
♦ Log onto the LSB4 over the network using one of the net-
work protocols: AppleTalk, NetWare, NCP/MOP/TSM,
Telnet/Rlogin
♦ Use BOOTP or ARP to configure the IP address from a
TCP/IP network host
♦ Send SNMP commands from an SNMP manager
Instructions for configuring the LSB4 will be provided in Chapter 3, Set-
up and Operation.
NOTE
NOTE