Bay Networks Marlin Reference guide

I

SSUE

3.0 MAN-ML-BRIDGE-REF

M

ARLIN

B

RIDGE

R

EFERENCE

M

ANUAL

Issue 3.0

MAN-ML-BRIDGE-REF I

SSUE

3.0

photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or

machine readable form without the prior written permission from Bay

Networks.

The information contained in this manual is believed to be accurate,

however, no responsibility is assumed by Bay Networks for its use, nor for

any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from

its use.

All trademarks are acknowledged.

I

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3.0 MAN-ML-BRIDGE-REF

 1996 Scorpion Logic Ltd. A Bay Networks company

MAN-ML-BRIDGE-REF I

SSUE

3.0

B

EFORE YOU

S

TART

The “Marlin Installation Guide” provided in conjunction with this manual

gives important information about how to install the Marlin Bridge safely.

You must make yourself familiar with the contents of the Installation Guide,

and you should install the Marlin Bridge only in accordance with its

instructions.

A

BOUT

T

HIS

M

ANUAL

Chapter 1 - Overview

Provides an overview of the Marlin Bridge product features.

Chapter 2 - Tutorial

This chapter provides an overview of Ethernet LAN Local and Remote

Bridging and the use of ISDN to support LAN Inter-connect.

Chapter 3 - Network Examples

A number of examples are used to explore different network configurations

that may be used to meet specific user networking requirements. It is likely

that your network will closely match, or is a variation of, one of the

examples given.

Chapter 4 - Manager Operation

All Nautica Series products conform to the same management system

interface which is described in this chapter. Specific references to

management of the Marlin Bridge are deliberately kept to a minimum.

Chapter 5 - Reference

All Marlin Bridge specific management menus and forms, configuration

parameters, status and statistical information are described in detail in this

Chapter.

Chapter 6 - Utilities

This chapter provides a description of some features of the Marlin which

may be helpful in troubleshooting.

I

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3.0 MAN-ML-BRIDGE-REF

Conventions Used in the Manual

In the installation and manager chapters of this manual certain conventions

have been used to distinguish user input from system output.

Front panel display output is in monospaced text, e.g.

STATUS:NORMAL

User input via an attached terminal is indicated by text in boldface with

single key names being enclosed in angle brackets, e.g.

EDIT 4<RETURN>

When two or more keys are to be pressed simultaneously the convention of

using a plus between characters is used, e.g.

<CTRL>+E

indicates that the control key should be held down while the E character is

entered

C

ONTENTS

Section...............................................................................Page

vi Issue 3.0

1. O

VERVIEW

..........................................................................................1-1

1.1 Introduction..................................................................................1-1

1.2 High Performance Ethernet Bridge .............................................1-1

1.3 ISDN for Resilience.....................................................................1-2

1.4 ISDN Top-up Bandwidth on Demand.........................................1-2

1.5 ISDN Autocall Bandwidth on Demand.......................................1-2

1.6 Protocol Routing and Spoofing...................................................1-3

1.7 Simple Installation and Management..........................................1-3

1.8 Security ........................................................................................1-4

1.9 Summary of Features..................................................................1-5

2. T

UTORIAL

............................................................................................2-1

2.1 Introduction..................................................................................2-1

2.2 Bridging Overview ......................................................................2-2

2.3 Local Bridges...............................................................................2-3

2.4 Remote Bridges............................................................................2-6

2.5 Spanning Tree Algorithm............................................................2-9

2.5.1 Overview ........................................................................2-9

2.5.2 Network Loops...............................................................2-10

2.5.3 Network Loop Resolution..............................................2-11

2.5.4 Network Recovery After Path Failure............................2-15

2.6 The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).......................2-16

2.6.1 Overview ........................................................................2-16

2.6.2 ISDN and LAN Bridging ...............................................2-17

2.7 Protocol Prioritisation..................................................................2-19

3. N

ETWORKING

E

XAMPLES

...................................................................3-1

3.1 Point-to-Point Bridge Pair Networks ..........................................3-2

3.1.1 Bridge Pair with Single Link..........................................3-2

3.1.2 Bridge Pair with Parallel Links......................................3-4

3.1.3 Bridge Pair with ISDN Backup......................................3-6

3.1.4 Bridge Pair with ISDN Interconnect Only.....................3-8

3.2 Multiple Bridge Pairs Network....................................................3-11

3.3 Bridge Triangulation Networks...................................................3-13

3.3.1 Simple Bridge Triangulation..........................................3-14

3.3.2 Multiple Bridge Triangulation .......................................3-15

3.3.3 Bridge Triangulation with Resilient Links ....................3-16

3.3.4 Fully Resilient Network Triangulation..........................3-17

3.3.5 Fully Resilient Network with ISDN Backup .................3-18

3.3.6 Cost Reduced ISDN Backup..........................................3-20

C

ONTENTS

Section..............................................................................Page

Issue 3.0 vii

3.4 Multi-Tiered Network .................................................................3-22

3.5 Autocalls for ISDN Only LAN Interconnect..............................3-24

3.5.1 Autocall Example...........................................................3-24

3.5.2 TCP/IP Autocalls ...........................................................3-25

3.5.3 Novell IPX Autocalls.....................................................3-26

3.5.4 ScaNet OSI Name Service Autocalls.............................3-27

3.5.5 Banyan Autocalls...........................................................3-27

4. M

ANAGER

O

PERATION

.......................................................................4-1

4.1 Menus and Forms Explained.......................................................4-2

4.2 Front Panel Operation .................................................................4-4

4.2.1 Front Panel Display........................................................4-4

4.2.2 Menu Navigation Via The Front Panel..........................4-4

4.2.3 Form Display and Editing via the Front Panel ..............4-6

4.2.4 Saving Changes via the Front Panel..............................4-7

4.2.5 Interface Activity Bar Graph Operation ........................4-7

4.3 Manager Terminal Operation......................................................4-8

4.3.1 Screen Description.........................................................4-8

4.3.1.1 Title Line Region........................................................4-9

4.3.1.2 Central Menu and Form Region .................................4-9

4.3.1.3 Menu Navigation Region............................................4-10

4.3.1.4 Command and Response Region................................4-10

4.3.2 Menu Navigation............................................................4-11

4.3.3 Form Navigation and Editing.........................................4-13

4.4 Remote Terminal Management...................................................4-15

4.5 Disconnecting from the Management System ............................4-16

4.6 SNMP Management ....................................................................4-17

4.7 Management System Security.....................................................4-17

4.8 Control Characters in Text Strings..............................................4-17

4.9 Control Character Actions...........................................................4-18

5. R

EFERENCE

.........................................................................................5-1

5.1 Overview......................................................................................5-1

5.2 Manager Terminal Menu Tree ....................................................5-2

5.3 Front Panel Manager Menu Tree ................................................5-7

5.4 Main Menu ..................................................................................5-8

5.5 Configuration...............................................................................5-9

5.5.1 System Management......................................................5-10

5.5.2 Port Management...........................................................5-13

5.5.2.1 LAN Ports ...................................................................5-16

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Section...............................................................................Page

viii Issue 3.0

5.5.2.2 HDLC Ports.................................................................5-17

5.5.2.3 PPP Ports .....................................................................5-22

5.5.2.4 TA Ports.......................................................................5-23

5.5.3 Bridge Configuration......................................................5-28

5.5.3.1 Spanning Tree Management........................................5-29

5.5.3.2 Address Filter Table....................................................5-31

5.5.3.3 Add Filter Table Entry ................................................5-35

5.5.3.4 Type Filters..................................................................5-36

5.5.3.5 Bridge General Parameters..........................................5-38

5.5.4 ISDN Configuration.......................................................5-41

5.5.4.1 Bridge Authorisation...................................................5-43

5.5.4.2 ISDN Automatic Call Addresses.................................5-44

5.5.4.3 ISDN Time Bands .......................................................5-54

5.5.4.4 ISDN Tokens...............................................................5-56

5.5.4.5 ISDN Numbers and Manual Calls...............................5-56

5.5.4.6 Calling Line Identification..........................................5-60

5.5.4.7 TCP-32 WINS .............................................................5-61

5.5.5 SNMP Management .......................................................5-63

5.6 Status and Statistics Monitor.......................................................5-65

5.6.1 Ports Statistics ................................................................5-66

5.6.1.1 Ethernet Port Statistics................................................5-67

5.6.1.2 Serial Interface Statistics.............................................5-69

5.6.2 Bridge Statistics..............................................................5-70

5.6.2.1 Link Spanning Tree Status..........................................5-71

5.6.3 Spanning Tree Statistics.................................................5-73

5.6.4 ISDN Call Statistics........................................................5-75

5.6.4.1 ISDN Call History.......................................................5-76

5.6.5 Hublet Statistics..............................................................5-77

5.6.6 TCP/IP Statistics.............................................................5-78

5.7 Connect to Remote Devices.........................................................5-79

6. U

TILITIES

............................................................................................6-1

6.1 Configuration Default..................................................................6-1

6.2 Unit Reboot..................................................................................6-1

6.3 Configuration Dump....................................................................6-1

6.4 Configuration Load......................................................................6-2

6.5 Software Version .........................................................................6-2

6.6 Trace Window..............................................................................6-2

6.7 ISDN Clearing Codes ..................................................................6-4

C

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Section..............................................................................Page

Issue 3.0 ix

6.8 Faultfinding TCP/IP Networks....................................................6-6

6.9 Faultfinding IPX Networks.........................................................6-7

6.10 Faultfinding Basic Rate ISDN...................................................6-8

C

ONTENTS

List of Figures ..................................................................Page

x Issue 3.0

Figure 2-1 Simple Ethernet Network......................................................2-2

Figure 2-2 Local Bridging ......................................................................2-3

Figure 2-3 Remote Bridging...................................................................2-6

Figure 2-4 Multiple Remote Bridges......................................................2-7

Figure 2-5 Resilient Network .................................................................2-9

Figure 2-6 Network Loop .......................................................................2-11

Figure 2-7 Network Loop Eliminated.....................................................2-14

Figure 3.1 Bridge Pair with Single Link.................................................3-2

Figure 3.2 Bridge Pair with Parallel Links.............................................3-4

Figure 3.3 Bridge Pair with ISDN Backup.............................................3-6

Figure 3.4 Bridge Pair with ISDN Interconnect Only............................3-8

Figure 3.5 Multiple Bridge Pairs............................................................3-11

Figure 3.6 Simple Bridge Triangulation.................................................3-14

Figure 3.7 Multiple Bridge Triangulation..............................................3-15

Figure 3.8 Bridge Triangulation with Resilient Links ...........................3-16

Figure 3.9 Fully Resilient Network Triangulation.................................3-17

Figure 3.10 Fully Resilient Network with ISDN Backup ......................3-18

Figure 3.11 Cost Reduced ISDN Backup...............................................3-20

Figure 3.12 Multi-Tiered Network .........................................................3-22

Figure 3.13 Typical Bridge Network for ISDN Autocall.......................3-24

Figure 4.1 The Management Menu Tree System ...................................4-2

Figure 4.2 Typical Front Panel Display..................................................4-4

Figure 4.3 Front Panel Menu Navigation...............................................4-5

Figure 4.4 Front Panel After Configuration Change..............................4-7

Figure 4.5 Interface Activity Bar Graph.................................................4-7

Figure 4.6 Terminal Management Screen Regions................................4-8

Figure 4.7 Main Menu (Example) ..........................................................4-11

Figure 4.8 Variable List Menu (Example)..............................................4-12

Figure 4.9 HDLC Port Configuration Form (Example).........................4-13

Figure 4.10 Remote Devices Selection Screen (Example).....................4-15

Figure 5.1 Main Menu Screen ................................................................5-8

Figure 5.2 Configuration Menu Screen..................................................5-9

Figure 5.3 System Parameter Form.........................................................5-10

Figure 5.4 Ports List Screen....................................................................5-13

Figure 5.5 LAN Port Configuration Form..............................................5-16

Figure 5.6 HDLC Port Configuration Form...........................................5-17

Figure 5.7 PPP Port Configuration Form ...............................................5-22

Figure 5.8 TA Port Configuration Form.................................................5-23

C

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List of Figures..................................................................Page

Issue 3.0 xi

Figure 5.9 Bridge Configuration Screen................................................5-28

Figure 5.10 Spanning Tree Configuration Screen .................................5-29

Figure 5.11 Filter Table Addresses Screen ............................................5-31

Figure 5.12 Add Entry to Filter Table Form..........................................5-35

Figure 5.13 Type Filters Screen .............................................................5-36

Figure 5.14 Bridge General Parameters Entry Form..............................5-38

Figure 5.15 ISDN Configuration Screen................................................5-41

Figure 5.16 Bridge Access Authorisation Screen..................................5-43

Figure 5.17 ISDN Autocall Addresses Screen.......................................5-47

Figure 5.18 Add/Edit Entry to Autocall Table.......................................5-47

Figure 5.19 ISDN Time Band Screen.....................................................5-54

Figure 5.20 Add/Edit ISDN Time Band Screen.....................................5-55

Figure 5.21 ISDN Numbers Screen........................................................5-57

Figure 5.22 Add/Edit ISDN Numbers Screen........................................5-57

Figure 5.23 ISDN CLI Screen................................................................5-60

Figure 5.24 WINS Name Screen............................................................5-61

Figure 5.25 Add/Edit TCP-32 WINS Screen.........................................5-62

Figure 5.26 SNMP Configuration Screen..............................................5-63

Figure 5.27 Status and Statistics Menu Screen......................................5-65

Figure 5.28 Ports Statistics Screen.........................................................5-66

Figure 5.29 Ethernet Statistics Screen....................................................5-67

Figure 5.30 Serial Interface Statistics Screen ........................................5-69

Figure 5.31 Bridge Link Statistics Screen..............................................5-70

Figure 5.32 Link Spanning Tree Status Screen......................................5-71

Figure 5.33 Spanning Tree Statistics Screen..........................................5-73

Figure 5.34 ISDN Current Call Statistics Screen...................................5-75

Figure 5.35 ISDN Total Channel Statistics Screen................................5-76

Figure 5.36 Hublet Statistics Screen ......................................................5-77

Figure 5.37 TCP/IP Statistics Menu Screen...........................................5-78

Figure 5.38 Remote Devices Menu Screen............................................5-79

Figure 6.1 Trace Window Screen (Example).........................................6-3

C

ONTENTS

List of Tables ...................................................................Page

Issue 3.0 xi

Table 4.1 Control Character Actions......................................................4-18

Table 5.1 Common Ethernet Types........................................................5-37

Table 5.2 Common IEEE Types.............................................................5-37

Table 6.1 Network Clearing Codes........................................................6-4

Table 6.2 Internal Clearing Codes..........................................................6-5

C

ONTENTS

Issue 3.0

O

VERVIEW

1-1

1. O

VERVIEW

1.1 I

NTRODUCTION

Marlin Bridge is the latest in a new generation of internetworking systems

which specifically addresses the new needs of Networking in the 90s. It

allows users to take advantage of the latest technology, combined with new

ISDN services to provide economic, effective and resilient network

solutions in today’s LAN environment. As more power and intelligence is

built into the workstation, so internetworking traffic consists of short bursts

of high-volume files. Previously, users had no option but to pay for unused

time on leased lines to gain the necessary performance. The widespread

availability of ISDN services and the new NET3 standards of operation will

allow users to review their network needs and implement more cost-

effective services.

1.2 H

IGH

P

ERFORMANCE

E

THERNET

B

RIDGE

Marlin Bridge is a high performance Ethernet Bridge providing a range of

facilities and options to ensure networks can operate to optimum capacity.

Based on the latest RISC technology, Marlin Bridge combines the features

necessary to construct complex networks with the intelligence to provide

“plug and play” easy installation. Marlin Bridge is equipped with a single

Ethernet LAN port and a single WAN port operating at up to 2Mbps. The

WAN port can connect to another Marlin Bridge or member of the Nautica

Bridge Series e.g. a CLAM Bridge. The integrated ISDN port provides up

to 2 ‘B’ (bearer) channels to be used for various network options.

The key to its high performance is a high forwarding rate combined with

intelligent filtering. The Marlin Bridge provides forwarding of 10 000 fps

(frames per second), with a range of filtering options including filtering by

source and destination pairs for security. Filtering by destination and by

protocol type keeps unnecessary traffic off the WAN where bandwidth is at

a premium.

O

VERVIEW

1-2

1.3 ISDN

FOR

R

ESILIENCE

ISDN is the most cost-effective and responsive means of providing

resilience to line failure. The Marlin Bridge responds automatically to line

failures by connecting one or more ISDN channels. Service is usually

restored within 3 to 7 seconds, which ensures users are not interrupted. The

use of Multilink procedures allows data to be shared across all available

links (leased and ISDN), which allows two ISDN channels to back up a

higher-speed leased line. The Marlin Bridge can use ISDN backup on a

one-for-one basis or a one-for-n basis.

1.4 ISDN T

OP

-

UP

B

ANDWIDTH ON

D

EMAND

The availability of ISDN means users can accurately size their networks

without worrying about the peak demand operation. The Marlin Bridge will

automatically establish one or more ISDN circuits to provide the additional

bandwidth as the leased line utilisation passes configurable thresholds.

Data is then shared dynamically across all available links, allowing ISDN

calls to be cleared automatically in response to lower demand, so keeping

costs to a minimum. Marlin Bridge has both ISDN and leased connections

to ensure users can test network utilisation in real time over ISDN before

committing to leased circuits. Also, as traffic patterns change, leased

circuits or ISDN may be added or removed at any site without needing to

make equipment redundant.

1.5 ISDN A

UTOCALL

B

ANDWIDTH ON

D

EMAND

The Marlin Bridge can be configured to establish ISDN calls automatically

to a destination based on either LAN destination MAC (Medium Access

Control) or network address of incoming data frames. Calls are usually

established instantly and cleared automatically on no data being transmitted

for a configurable period. Autocalls can use Top-Up-On-Demand to

establish multiple ISDN links if needed due to high link utilisation. Marlin

Bridge supports TCP/IP, OSI, IPX and Banyan Network addressing; all

other protocols use MAC address autocalls. This is an ideal use for ISDN

where the cost of connection time for real data transmission to sites is lower

for ISDN than the cost of leased lines. High speeds and fully automatic

operation give the “feel” of leased lines without the cost.

O

VERVIEW

1-3

1.6 P

ROTOCOL

R

OUTING AND

S

POOFING

Many Client/Server-based network protocols broadcast frames regularly,

making them unsuitable for cost-effective bridging or routing using ISDN.

Marlin Bridge solves this by filtering Broadcast and Multicast frames, while

intelligently forwarding and spoofing (imitating) the protocols. For Novell

IPX/SPX, Marlin Bridge acts as a combined Server/Router on the LAN,

emulating RIP and SAP frames and reacting to Client-based requests such

as e-mail. This ensures that ISDN is only used for transmitting real data,

and network information is updated automatically during the connection.

Banyan Vines is supported in a similar way.

1.7 S

IMPLE

I

NSTALLATION AND

M

ANAGEMENT

Marlin Bridge is designed to be installed and operating within minutes after

connection to the network. Marlin Bridge automatically learns all MAC

addresses on the network and sets up the necessary tables. Selection criteria

can be specified using Manager Menus. The built-in management system

can be accessed from the front panel, via a Telnet call, or from a connected

ANSI terminal device. The menu-driven operation can be configured easily

to meet network needs during operation.

Marlin Bridge includes extensive diagnostic and management facilities to

allow the administrator to gain knowledge of LAN and WAN operation on

all local and remote bridges. Marlin Bridge may also be managed from an

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) management system.

Marlin Bridge supports MIB II and Bridge MIB (RFC-1286). Private MIB

extensions are easily ported to provide the full range of facilities.

Software upgrades may be downloaded remotely from another Marlin

Bridge or from a PC, using ISDN or leased circuits.

O

VERVIEW

1-4

1.8 S

ECURITY

As a public service, ISDN could open your network to unauthorised access.

Marlin Bridge is equipped with features designed to maintain security.

Marlin Bridge has two levels of access security which are invoked

automatically and are transparent to the user. Calling Line Identification

(CLI) is supported, which ensures incoming ISDN calling numbers are

checked before access is allowed. Marlin Bridge has a second layer of

security based on the encoded MAC address of the calling bridge. If this

address is incorrect, the remote unit will be unable to send or receive data.

O

VERVIEW

1-5

1.9 S

UMMARY OF

F

EATURES

• Wide Area Network Interface

•

X.21 for speeds to 2048 Mbps

(V35 interface for North American markets)

(Optional V24 interface)

•

Requires External Clocking

•

Cable for connection to leased circuit included

• ISDN Interface

•

Conforms to NET3

•

Dual 64Kbps B-channels

•

Separately dialled ISDN numbers

•

ISDN connection cable included

• Load Sharing on Links, including ISDN, using Multilink Procedures

• Very High Performance RISC Processor

•

Links can be fully utilised

•

Sophisticated frame filtering at wire speeds so no loss of data

• Data Compression

•

Effective throughput increase between 2 and 8 times

(typically 192Kbps from a 64Kbps channel)

• Spanning Tree Algorithm

•

IEEE Standard for multivendor interoperability

•

Bridge Triangulation

•

Ensures full use is made of wide area links

• Security

•

Access control on management functions

•

ISDN access authorisation list

•

Calling Line Identification

O

VERVIEW

1-6

• Management

•

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

•

Industry standard MIB II and standard bridge MIB (RFC 1286)

•

Local LCD Management

•

Direct status and statistics reporting, simple configuration capability

•

Local Terminal Management

•

Easy to use menu-driven management local terminal interface

•

Remote Management

•

Also accessible from networked TCP/IP stations

Optional Expansion Cards

The Marlin Bridge has an expansion slot that allows you to install one of

the following optional expansion cards:

• A dual BRI option card, providing either one or two ISDN Basic Rate

Interfaces (a maximum of 3 BRI interfaces can be fitted to each Marlin).

• A Primary Rate option card supporting EURO-ISDN NET 5 (iCTR4

compliant), providing 30 ‘B’ channels in Europe or 23 ‘B’ channels in

the USA.

• The WAN4 serial port expansion option card provides four additional

interfaces supporting X21 (V.11). V.24 and V.35 versions are also

available.

• An 8 port 10BASE-T Integral Hub option card, letting you install the

bridge as part of a hub on your Ethernet network and providing direct

connections for workstations or other network devices.

O

VERVIEW

1-7

Optional Single and Dual Integrated BRI ISDN Terminal Adapters

• ISDN Backup in the event of primary link failure

• Use at remote sites with no permanent link

• Additional capacity when primary link is over-utilised

• Automatic ISDN based on IP and IPX addresses

• Multiple 64 Kbps channels

• Separately dialled ISDN numbers

Optional Primary Rate EURO-ISDN Interface (NET5/iCTR4)

• Provides up to 30 ‘B’ channels on one interface

• EURO-ISDN compatible (NET5) and iCTR4 compliant

• Use at Central site for many-to-one dial-in access with no permanent link

• Dynamic channel allocation based upon bandwidth requirements

Optional Primary Rate US Interface (National ISDN)

• Provides up to 23 ‘B’ channels on one interface

• National ISDN (NI-1 & NI-2) compliant

• Use at central site for many-to-one dial-in access with no permanent link

• Dynamic channel allocation based on bandwidth requirements

Optional Quad WAN Port Expansion Board

• 1 to 4 WAN ports

• Externally clocked DTE presentation

• 2Mbps aggregate throughput

Optional 8 Port 10BASE-T Hub Expansion Board

• 1 to 8 RJ-45 10BASE-T Ethernet ports

• Port 1 can be strapped as DCE or DTE

• Auto partitioning of port on faulty segment detection

• Status screen displays last user, data count, error count and link status

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Bay Networks Marlin Reference guide

Bay Networks Marlin Reference guide

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