High-Speed LAN and

Backbone Networks
After studying this Chapter you should:
 Know which internetworking devices are used in
backbone networks
 Describe several types of fast Ethernet and fast
Token Ring
 Describe FDDI
 Describe ATM and fiber channels
 Know ways to improve performance on BN

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Definition
 Backbone Network (BN) - a large high-speed
central network that connects all the terminals,
microcomputers, mainframes, local area
networks, and other communications
equipment on a single company or site.
Sometimes called a Campus Area Network
(CAN). Use Higher speed circuits for
connectivity.

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Definition
 Enterprise Network (EN) - a supernetwork that
interconnects all of an organizations networks
(LANs and WANs), regardless of whether it
crosses state, national, or international
boundaries.

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Why interconnect networks?
 Reliability
 Performance
 Security

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Introduction
There are two approaches to providing high speed
networking.
 “speed up” the technologies currently used in local area
networks.
 Fast Ethernet
 Fast Token Ring
 develop new high speed technologies that provide
dedicated point-to-point communication circuits
 Switched Ethernet
 Switched Token Ring
 ATM

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Backbone Network Components
 Two basic components to the BN
 hardware devices that connect the networks to the
backbone
 hubs
 bridges
 switches
 routers
 brouters
 gateways
 network cable

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Hubs
 very simple devices that pass all traffic in both
directions between the LAN sections they link
 same or different cable types
 use physical layer protocols
 pass on every message
 used to connect LANs of similar technology, or to
extend the distance of one LAN
 can be called repeaters or amplifiers

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 HUB Devices

Repeater/Amplifier

HUB (MAU)

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Hubs
 inexpensive
 easy to Install
 can connect different media
 very little delay

 limited distance between devices

 limited on the number of repeaters
 no protocol or rate conversion
 no error detection
 does not filter

Chapter 8 12/08/21
 Bridges
 connect two LAN segments that use the same data
link and network protocol
 operated at the data link layer
 same or different cable types
 forward only those messages that need to go out
(filtering)
 “learn” whether to forward packets
 internal routing table
 combination of “black box” hardware and software

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Bridges
There are three types of bridges:
 Simple bridge
 Learning bridge
 Multiport bridge

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Bridges Interconnecting

Bridge

Repeater/
Repeater/ Amplifier
Amplifier

HUB (MAU)
HUB (MAU)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Bridges
 may be different data rates and different media easy
to Install
 no modifications required to the communications
software
 can learn the ports for data transmission

 understand only data link layer protocols and

addresses
 no protocol conversion
 broadcasts when it does not know the address

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Switches
 connect more than two LAN segments that use
the same data link and network protocol.
 operate at the data link layer
 same or different type cable
 ports are usually provided for 4, 8, 16, or 32 LAN
segments
 ports are used simultaneously
 connect lower speed segments to high speed BN

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Switches
 Cut-through switches
 use circuit-switching to immediately connect the port
with the incoming message to the correct outgoing port
 very fast as decisions are done in hardware
 outgoing packet is lost if port is in use
 Store-and-forward switches
 copy the incoming packet to memory prior to
processing the destination address -- transmit it when
the outgoing port is ready

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Switches Interconnecting

Wing A Wing B
First Floor Switch

Wing C 12/08/21
Wing C 1
Chapter 8
 Switches
 much more sophisticated than previously
 enable all ports to work at the same time
 can convert protocols
 configurable
 high speed

 understand only data link layer protocols and

addresses
 much more expensive then previous options
 higher maintenance

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Routers
 connect two or more LANs that use the same or
different data link protocols, but the same network
protocol.
 same or different cable types
 operate at the network layer
 forward only messages that need to go out
 routers use the internetwork address
 internal routing tables
 only processes messages addressed to it

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Routers
 choose the best route to send the packet (path)
 IDs of other networks
 paths to the networks
 relative efficiency of the paths

Chapter 8 12/08/21 1
 Routers
 The router must deal with network differences:

 addressing schemes
 minimum packet size
 interfaces
 reliability

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Routers Interconnecting
Router

\
X.25 Network Ethernet
the “cloud” LAN2

Token Ring
LAN1 12/08/21 2
Chapter 8
 Routers
 can mix-in-match protocols and convert them
 enable all ports to work at the same time
 can be used as an extra layer of security
 configurable
 high speed

 hard to configure and manage

 access lists must be kept current
 high maintenance/high training costs
 very expensive

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Brouters
 devices that combine the functions of both bridges
and routers
 operate at both the data link and network layers
 same or different data link protocol
 same network protocol
 as fast as bridges for same data link type networks

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Gateways
 complex machines that are interfaces between two or
more dissimilar networks
 connect two or more LANs that use the same or
different data link layer, network layer, and cable types
 operates at the network layer (3) or higher layers (4-7)
 forwards only those messages that need to go out
 a combination of both hardware and software

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Gateways
 translates one network protocol to another
 translates data formats
 translates open sessions between application
programs
 translates to mainframes

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Gateways
 Exists in four major types:
 LAN-to-IBM mainframe
 Network-to-network
 System-to-network
 System-to-system

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 LAN-to-IBM Mainframe
 Allow LANs using TCP/IP and Ethernet to be
connected to IBM mainframe using SNA
 Eliminates the need for each PC on the LAN to
have SNA hardware/software that makes it act
like an IBM 3270 terminal

Mainframe
Gateway

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 Network-to-Network

X.25 \Network
X.75 Gateway
A

X.25 Network
\
B

X.75 provides terminal

address translation

Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 System-to-Network

X.25 \Network
Gateway

Minicomputer or
Microcomputer
Chapter 8 12/08/21 2
 System-to-System
 allows connecting one vendor’s architecture to
another vendor’s architecture
 allows both the existence of OSI-based and
proprietary architectures (like SNA or AppleTalk)
 gives management to tools necessary to plan a
gradual migration to a completely OSI environment
 applications can work with other application

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 System-to-System
Profs E-mail Gateway

\
X.25 Network

LAN E-mail Server

Profs E-mail

LAN E-mail Gateway

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Backbone Network Devices
Physical Data Link Network
Device Operates at Messages Layer Layer Layer
Hub Physical All transferred S/D Same Same
Bridge Data link Filtered using S/D Same Same
data link layer add.
Switch Data link Switched using S/D Same Same
data link layer add.
Router Network Routed using S/D S/D Same
network layer add.
Brouter Data link & Filtered & routed S/D S/D Same
Network
Gateway Network Routed using S/D S/D S/D
network layer add.

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Terminology Warnings
 Multiprotocol bridges translate between different data link
layer protocols.
 Multiprotocol routers translate between different network
layer protocols.
 Protocol filtering bridges forward only packets of a certain
type, i.e., token-ring or ethernet
 Encapsulating bridges connect networks with different data
link protocols, encapsulating messages with correct
protocol for transmission
 Layer-3 switches (IP switches) - can also switch messages
based on their network layer address

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Shared Media Technologies
 Fast Ethernet
 Fast Token Ring
 Fiber Distributed Data Interface

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Fast Ethernet
 100Base-X Ethernet
 100VG-AnyLAN
 Gigabit Ethernet
 Iso-ENET (isochronous ethernet)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 100Base-X Ethernet
 IEEE 802.13
 identical to 10Base-T Ethernet
 three data link layer protocols
 100 Mbps data rate
 standard ethernet bus topology
 ethernet data link packets
 ethernet CSMA/CD media access protocol

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 100Base-X Ethernet
Three versions of 100Base-X Ethernet
 100Base-TX
 100Base-FX
 100Base-T4

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 100VG-AnyLAN
 IEEE 802.12
 both Ethernet or token-ring
 Demand Priority Access Method (DPAM)
polling
 polls each computer to see if it has data to send
 can use a priority system (notification system)
 four sets of twisted pair running at 25 Mbps
 faster than 100Base-T

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Gigabit Ethernet
 IEEE 802.3Z
 1000Base-X
 1000 Mbps (1000 Mbps = 1 Gbps)
 high speed of transmission may cause
collisions to go undetected
 mainly used for point-to-point full-duplex
communication links (BN, MAN)
 PCs send or receive data at rates up to 100
Mbps

Chapter 8 12/08/21 3
 Gigabit Ethernet
Four versions of 1000Base-X Ethernet
 1000 Base-LX (fiber up to 440 meters)
 1000 Base-SX (fiber up to 260 meters)
 1000 Base-T (four pairs twisted-pair up to 100
meters)
 1000 Base-CX (one cat 5 cable up to 24 meters)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Iso-ENET
 IEEE 802.9A
 isochronous Ethernet
 standard 10Base-T Ethernet + 6.144 Mbps
 both transmitted on the same twisted pair
 6.144 circuit configured for ISDN for
transmission of voice and video
 mainly used for desktop videoconferencing
and multimedia products

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Fast Token Ring
 high-speed token ring (HSTR)
 standard token ring topology
 standard token ring protocols
 token passing media access control
 100 Mbps instead of 16 Mbps
 category 5 or fiber optics cable
 IBM working on 1 Gbps version

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Fiber Distributed Data
Interface (FDDI)
 ANSI X3T9.5
 Topology - token-passing
 2 counter-rotating rings
 Each ring operates at 100 Mbps over fiber optic
cable
 maximum of 1000 stations
 distance 120 mile path (200k)
 required repeaters to push transmission (2K)
 data is usually carried on the primary ring

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 FDDI Station Types
 Dual-Attachment Station (DAS)
 connects to both primary and secondary rings
 requires 4 fibers to the desk
 allows the ring to continue to operate even if a
break occurs in the line by rerouting through the
secondary ring (backwards)
 Single-Attachment Station (SAS)
 connects only to the primary ring
 requires 2 fibers to the desk

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 FDDI Topology Mainframe

DAS

DAS
Workstations
Primary Ring
DAS

Secondary Ring SAS

DAS SAS
Gateway FDDI Hub
SAS

DAS

Bridge
Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 FDDI - How does it work?
 Media accesss control
 variation of token-passing standard
 FDDI allows multiple messages to attach to the token -
increases throughput above 100 Mbps
 An FDDI-to-IEEE 802.x bridge is required to connect
to lower speed corporate LANs
 At each node the optical signal is:
 converted to an electrical signal
 amplified
 copied (if necessary)
 converted back to light to send to the next node

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Types of FDDI
 Basic FDDI previously discussed
 FDDI-C (FDDI on Copper)
 Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI)
 uses copper wire instead of fiber optic
 FDDI-II
 permits transmission of voice and video over the same cable
as FDDI token-passing data
 uses time division multiplexing
 17 channels
 1 - 768 Kbps channel (token-passing)
 16 - 6.144 Mbps channels (wide band - voice/video or data)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Switched Networks
 Switched Ethernet
 Full-Duplex Ethernet
 Switched Token Ring
 Switched FDDI
 Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
 Fibre Channel

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Switched Ethernet
 the switch replaces the hub
 creates a point-to-point circuit to the switch
 allows multiple transmissions between computers
 store-and-forward
 improves LAN performance
 circuit to the server is the network bottleneck

Chapter 8 12/08/21 4
 Other Ethernet Solutions
 Full-Duplex Ethernet
 uses the same cables as regular Ethernet
 10BaseT but full-duplex
 doubles the speed of connections to 20 Mbps
 full-duplex only from the switch to the server
 may have several connections to one server
 10/100 switched ethernet
 combines 10BaseT and 100BaseT to the server
 cheaper to install than 100Base-T
 maybe as fast as fast ethernet

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 Switched Token Ring
 token ring switch replaces the token ring hub
 provides a series of point-to-point connections
 star topology
 no token to pass because of full duplex switch
 called “token-ring” because it uses token ring
packet format and is compatible with 802.5
hardware
 dedicated token ring (DTR) full duplex
 32 Mbps data rate due to full duplex (16 Mbps
each direction)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 Switched FDDI
 FDDI witch replaces the FDDI hub
 point-to-point connctions to computers
 star topology
 no token because all computers can transmit
and receive at will
 same packet format and is fully compatible
with other FDDI hardwar

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 ATM
 Isochronous networks provide very low and predictable node-
to-node delays. They are capable of dealing with steady,
immediate delivery, and high-bandwidth requirements of
multimedia technology.

 Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is the ultimate

isochronous technology by allocating bandwidth on demand via
virtual circuits.
 high-speed, hardware-based, circuit-switching technology
 cell-relay
 LANE (LAN Emulation/LAN Encapsulation)
 connection-oriented
 ATM desktop - point-to-point full duplex - “low speed” version for the
desktop

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 ATM
ATM is a switched network but differs from switched
ethernet and switched token ring in four ways:
1. ATM uses fixed-length packets of 53 bytes (ATM
encapsulation)
2. no error correction on the user data
3. ATM uses a very different type of addressing from
traditional data link layer protocols such as ethernet or
token ring
4. ATM prioritizes transmissions based on Quality of
Service (QoS).

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 Asynchronous Transfer
Mode (ATM)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode is connection-
oriented so all packets travel in order through
the virtual circuit. A virtual circuit can either
be a:
 Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) - defined
when the network is established or modified.
 Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC) - defined
temporarily for one transmission and deleted
with the transmission is completed.

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 LAN Translation
 two approaches for translation
 LANE (LAN Emulation/LAN Encapsulation)
 Multiprotocol over ATM (MPOA)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 LAN Encapsulation
 usually referred to as LAN Emulation
 data link layer packets left intact; broken down
and encapsulated
 reassembled on the LAN side
 LAN thinks that the packets are token ring or
Ethernet
 requires ATM edge switches at each side

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 Multiprotocol over ATM
 extension of LANE
 uses network layer addresses and data link layer
addresses
 destination determines which address to use
 route servers required (MPOA servers)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 ATM to the Desktop
ATM-25 is a low speed version of ATM which
provides point-to-point full duplex circuits at
25.6 Mbps in each direction. It is an adaptation
of token ring that runs over cat 3 cable and can
even use token ring hardware if modified.

ATM-51 is another version designed for the

desktop allowing 51.84 Mbps from computers
to the switch.

Chapter 8 12/08/21 5
 ATM Classes of Service
ATM provides five classes of service:
 Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
 Variable Bit Rate-Real Time (VBR-RT)
 Variable Bit Rate-Non-Real Time (VBR-NRT)
 Available Bit Rate (ABR)
 Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR)

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Fiber Channel
Fiber channel is relatively new networking
technology, although it has been used inside
computer and disk storage devices for several
years.

Fiber channel was originally designed to provide

high speed transmission over fiber optic cable.
The maximum data rate is 1.062 Gbps up to
10 k with higher rates under development.

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Improving Backbone
Performance
 change network protocol
 check impact of applications
 replace the hubs with switches and make
point-to-point connections available
 increase circuit capacity
 make sure BN devices have sufficient
memory, so packets don’t get lost and have to
be resent

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Improving Backbone
Performance
 use faster routing protocol
 upgrade computers that perform routing
 use switches from a single vendor
 eliminate need for switch-to-switch routing by
use of collapsed backbone switch

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Collapsed Backbone
Networks
 uses point-to-point circuits when possible
 uses a switch and a set of circuits to each LAN
 uses more cable, but fewer devices
 “backbone” exists in the switch
 improved performance
 switch replaces multiple bridges or routers
 lowers costs
 simplifies network management
 if the switch fails, the network is down
Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Improving Circuit Capacity
 increase overall circuit capacity or place
additional circuits alongside heavily used
circuits
 move from shared circuit to switched circuit
BN
 increase capacity to the server

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Improving Circuit Capacity

How much bandwidth to expect

LAN Type Speed

Ethernet 10 Mbps
Token Ring 16 Mbps
Fast Ethernet 100 Mbps
Faster Ethernet 1 Gbps
Fast Token Ring 100 Mbps
FDDI 100 Mbps
ATM 2.4 Gbps
Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Reduce Network Demand
 restrict high-bandwidth applications:
 video conferencing
 medical imaging
 multimedia
 set routing devices to filter broadcast
messages

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6
 Selecting a Backbone Network
5 important factors to consider:
 Throughput
 Network cost
 Type of application
 Ease of network management
 Compatibility with current and future
technologies

Chapter 8 12/08/21 6