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Conference 7.286::fddi

Title:FDDI - The Next Generation
Moderator:NETCAD::STEFANI
Created:Thu Apr 27 1989
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2259
Total number of notes:8590

374.0. "Fault torlerant DECConcentrator 500 Configuration" by FRIDYS::MCCAIN (DTN 8-425-3275) Wed Oct 23 1991 20:34

I am proposing a Dual VAX 6000 cluster configuration as a solution for an DOD
prime. Each VAX will have an FDDI interface connected to an DECConcentrator 500.

The goverment requires no single point of failure in the configuration, as such
I included three concentrators in the configuration as outlined in the FDDI
handbook.

The prime was not very happy about buying three Concentrators to 
support just two systems. Is it possible to do a configuration using only two
DECconcentrators ? Also, what is the MTBF for the DECConcentrator 500 ?


				thanx
				 Derrick
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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374.1KONING::KONINGPaul Koning, NI1DThu Oct 24 1991 13:4524
    How did you configure those three concentrators?  The layout that comes
    to mind does have a single point of failure...
    
    Sure, it's easy to do this with two concentrators.  Connect them via
    the A/B ports (so they are on the dual ring).  I assume you have two
    FDDI adapters per 6000...  Connect one to the first concentrator, one
    to the second.  Repeat for each 6000.
    
    If one concentrator dies, the other one is left and the dual ring is
    wrapped.  If a dual ring cable breaks, the ring wraps but everything
    remains accessible.  If an M-S cable breaks, the other adapter can
    still reach the other concentrator.
    
    You shouldn't add extra levels to the hierarchy without a reason.  In
    small networks, it's perfectly reasonable to have a couple of
    concentrators on the dual ring and everyone else connected straight to
    those.  The reason for going with multiple concentrator levels (a
    couple on the trunk ring and a lot more on the level below) is that
    your network is large enough that you don't really want so many
    concentrators on the dual ring (say, order of 10 concentrators or more)
    or the distances require more intermediate fan-out points, or the
    structured wiring design calls for the additional level.
    
    	paul