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Smart Ringswitch Express Select


The Smart Ringswitch Express is a high-performance, fully-featured, fully configurable Token Ring based switch with 3 option slots for accessory modules. Ideal for small backbone, workgroup concentration, micro-segmentation or branch office use.

Download the Smart Ringswitch Express Select DataSheetPDF Document

Key Benefits
Key Features
Product Specification
Ordering Information

The Smart Ringswitch Express switch can provide up to 24 ports switching capacity with bandwidth to 200Mbps on full duplex Token Ring (Copper or Fiber) connections. Options include an 10/100 Etherent integration module, Gigabit Ethernet Uplink module, OC-3 uplink for ATM backbones, Layer 3 IP Services and advanced protocol filtering and broadcast control capabilities to ensure maximum data efficiency and throughput for all demanding network environments.

Key Benefits

Simplicity

Smart Ringswitch Express can easily integrate into existing network environments. The simple, default configuration allows plug and play-type installation of the Ringswitch Express, whilst in addition it offers a wide range of options, and the ability to configure advanced filtering and network management options.

Flexibility

Although a smaller size, Smart Ringswitch Express use the same system software and switch fabric as its 'big brother' the Smart Ringswitch Plus. This ensures that they have the capacity and performance required for the majority of workgroup and small backbone applications.

Easy Integration

Smart Ringswitch Express can support Token Ring both 16/4 and 100Mbps, fiber and copper (UTP/STP) interfaces, Ethernet connectivity and Gigabit IP uplink capability as well as multimode fiber interfaces on the ATM module. This makes Ringswitch Express easy to integrate into existing networks.

Complete Switching Solution

Practical Token Ring networking issues go far beyond physical topology to include cabling media, frame forwarding techniques, uptime requirements and management. The Smart Ringswitch Express can be chosen with confidence because it has outstanding management functionality and the capability to fit into any Token Ring environment. Smart Ringswitch Express is part of a product line that allows budget-friendly Token Ring solutions to be built from desktop to backbone with industry-leading adapters, and the best switches in the industry.

Investment Protection

Smart Ringswitch Express is designed to integrate the 16/4Mbps Token Ring networks of today with the 100Mbps Token Ring and Gigabit-based backbones. Further to this, they are architected to accommodate future network trends, through software and hardware to third layer switching and quality of service features and support of Gigabit IP uplink technology.
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Key Features

Compact and powerful product family

The Smart Ringswitch Express Select has all three slots available for customer selections of modules. The switch supports the full range of Smart Ringswitch option modules for enhanced network control, workgroup and backbone connectivity.

Gigabit-ready

As part of its Gigabit IP switching strategy, Madge produces a standards-based Gigabit uplink module to enable the integration of traditional switched 100/16/4 Token Ring networks with the Gigabit-class IP-oriented backbones. Supporting the efficient large frame sizes associated with Token Ring, Madge gigabit technology provides seamless scaling of Token Ring networks to Gigabit speeds, and permit the integration of Ethernet and Token Ring workgroups across a common layer 3 IP backbone.
Download our Gigabit IP Switching GuidePDF Document

Scalable solution for Token Ring networks

With its range of high density 8-port Ringswitch modules, Madge increased the 100Mbps Token Ring capacity of Ringswitch Express to 24 ports. Support for higher port counts can be easily accomodated though the use of multiple switches in a 'meshed' configuration, taking full advantage of the load balancing and automatic rerouting capabilities of source routed Token Ring networks.

Non-Stop ATM Backbone Connectivity

Smart Ringswitch Express enables customers to fully deploy advanced LAN Emulation technology to provide seamless and ultra-reliable network designs.

Supporting Mixed Token Ring and Ethernet Desktops

The use of high efficiency translational switching, enables the integration of Ethernet devices and workgroups across a common backbone. Support is provided using the translational capabilities of the Ringswitch 10/100 Ethernet module, Gigabit uplink module or the Ringswitch ATM module, which enable Token Ring and Ethernet resources to the same virtual or emulated LAN.

Non-Blocking Switching Architecture

The Smart Ringswitch Express switch uses a 1.5Gbps switching backplane. This provides more than enough power to switch between up to 24 dedicated network connections via 16/4 Token Ring, 100Mbps Token Ring, Ethernet or 155Mbps ATM.

Source Route and Transparent Operation

Smart Ringswitch Express support all frame forwarding techniques including Source Route, Transparent, Source Route Transparent (SRT) and a unique mode: SRT plus. SRT plus combines Source Route and Transparent bridging to allow the same ring number to be used on multiple ports, making it easy to segment rings without needing to change desktop ring numbering schemes throughout the network.

Active Broadcast Control

A high level of broadcast traffic absorbs processing power in every network end-station, affects data throughput and in some instances can lead to costly network downtime. The Smart Ringswitch Express incorporates Active Broadcast Control (ABC) technology, which automatically eliminates unnecessary broadcast traffic from the network.
ABC uses intelligent techniques, and is extremely easy to use. The software runs a process to learn the whereabouts of resources on the network. IP, IPX, NETBIOS and Source Route broadcasts are checked and forwarded only to the ports that need to see such broadcasts. The software can track or relearn the whereabouts of resources that move, so no configuration is necessary to keep ABC operating effectively.

Advanced Protocol Filtering

The ability to set user-defined filters for particular broadcast frame types allows network managers to introduce greater controls on the flow of network traffic. It is ideal for implementing simple access control to network resources. Traditionally, routers would have performed this filtering function, however, with flatter switched networks, Smart Ringswitch software allows the filtering ability of a router to be handled within the switch, allowing the costly router to be utilised on other applications.

Third Layer IP Services

The use of an optional IP Services module (TLS) provides a cost-effective solution for managing traffic flows between IP subnets. TLS complements the Layer 2 IP switching capability of Smart Ringswitch Express switches, by providing in-built and easily configured routing services within the same device.

Comprehensive VLAN Support

Smart Ringswitch Express provides for VLANs within Source Route and Transparent environments. Further, VLANS can be mapped between switches using either ring numbering for Token Ring connected switches or VLAN/ELAN mapping for ATM inter-switch backbones.

Resilient ATM Connectivity

An optional dual-link 155Mbps ATM module allows the Smart Ringswitch Plus to be connected to an ATM backbone network. One of the links is a standby in case of failure on the primary, allowing the network to automatically recover from faults. Full support of the ATM Forum LAN Emulation standard, allows Token Ring users access to resources on an ATM network without having to change any of the applications or drivers in their workstations and servers.

Network Management

Smart Ringswitch Express is provided with the Madge TrueView network management software, which provides an advanced, yet easy-to-use Windows-based graphical interface to the Madge products and traffic on the network. The Smart Ringswitch family is the only Token Ring switching solution to support all 10 Remote MONitoring (RMON) groups. This provides full visibility of the traffic being switches - essential for troubleshooting problems with mission-critical resources connected directly to the Token Ring switch.

100Mbps Token Ring Port Modules (Copper)

Eight 100Mbps full duplex Token Ring Ports
UTP shielded RJ-45, Compatible with IEEE 802.5t
Hub or direct station attachment

100Mbps Token Ring Port Modules (Fiber)

Eight 100Mbps full duplex Token Ring Ports
SC connectors for 62.5/125 multimode fiber optic cable, Compatible with IEEE 802.5t
Hub or direct station attachment

16/4 Token Ring Port Modules (Copper)

Eight 16/4 Mbps full duplex Token Ring Ports
STP DB9 (4-port module), shielded RJ-45 (8-port module)
Hub or direct station attachment

16/4 Token Ring Port Modules (Fiber)

Four or Eight 16/4Mbps full duplex Token Ring Ports
SC connectors for 62.5/125 multimode fiber optic cable, Compatible with IEEE 802.5J or Fiber Trunk Link
Hub or direct station attachment

Third Layer IP Services Module

Up to 16 internal routing ports
Routing Protocols: RIP v1/v2; OSPF, VRRP

155Mbps ATM Module

Two 155 Mbps ATM (OC-3) Ports (1 active, 1 standby)
SC connectors for multimode fiber optic cable
ATM Forum UNI 3.0/3.1
ATM Forum LANE 1.0

Gigabit Uplink Module

One Full Duplex 1000BASE-SX Port
SC connector (MMF)
IPv4, ARP,RARP, DHCP, BOOTP, IPX, NLSP, NetBIOS, AppleTalk, AARP & SNA
SNAP, Ethernet-II, 802.2, 802.1H tunnel, standard 1.5k and extended 4.5k and 9Kb frame size supported; User-selectable 802.3x flow control
Download the Gigabit Uplink Module DataSheetPDF Document

10/100 Ethernet Module

Two IEEE 802.3 Full Duplex Ethernet Ports
UTP/S-UTP RJ45 (MDI)
IPv4, ARP,RARP, DHCP, BOOTP, IPX, NetBIOS, AppleTalk, AARP & SNA
SNAP, Ethernet-II, 802.2, 802.1H tunnel
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Specifications

Product Specifications
  • Network Type: IEEE 802.5 Token Ring 4, 16 or 100Mbps, Dedicated Token Ring
  • Function: High performance backbone switch
  • Switching: Full packet cut-through Frame
  • Forwarding: Source Route and Transparent bridging; SRT; SRT+
  • Token Ring 100Mbps Ports: 24 maximum
  • Token Ring 16/4 Ports: 24 maximum
  • Gigabit (1000BASE-SX) Uplinks: 1 maximum
  • Ethernet 10/100 Ports: 2 maximum
  • ATM 155Mbps Uplinks: 1 maximum
  • Switch Fabric and Backplane Capacity: 1.5Gbps
  • Management protocols: SNMP over IP and IPX Management
  • Device management: Madge TrueView, HP/OpenView and IBM NetView compatible
  • Broadcast Control: Yes - Source Route, NetBIOS, IPX, IP RMON
  • RMON Support: 10 groups (as per IETF RFC1213 & RFC1513)
  • Mounting: 19" rack, occupies 3U
  • Dimensions: 483x134x365mm (19.0x5.3x14.4")
  • Weight: 8 Kg (18lb) (no option module)
Environmental
  • Supply: 90-130 and 180-250V ac
  • Power: 47-63Hz, auto ranging, 250W max
  • Temperature Range: 10-40 Celsius
  • Humidity Range: 10-90% RH non-condensing

Download the Smart Ringswitch Express Select DataSheetPDF Document

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Ordering Information

Smart Ringswitch Express Select - Part No. 58-50
Smart Ringswitch RMON License - Part No. 84-27
2-Port 100 Mbps Token Ring Module (Fiber) - Part No. 58-33
8-Port 100 Mbps Token Ring Module (Fiber) - Part No. 58-43
8-Port 100 Mbps Token Ring Module (Copper) - Part No. 58-42
4-Port 16/4 Mbps Token Ring Module (Fiber) - Part No.57-92
8-Port 16/4 Mbps Token Ring Module (Fiber) - Part No. 58-45
8-Port 16/4 Mbps Token Ring Module (Copper) - Part No. 58-24
Dual-redundant 155 Mbps ATM Module (MMF) - Part No. 57-94
2-Port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Module (UTP) - Part No. 58-44
Third Layer Service Module - Part No. 58-41
Smart Ringswitch Gigabit Uplink Module - Part No. 58-49
Smart Ringswitch Software 4.4 - Part No. 87-11

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