Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

> I have a configuration question for DECbridge900MX. 
> My customer wants to use the bridge like follows:
> 
>                 DECHUB 900____________________________________________
>                                     Front    DEFBA      HUB           |
>                                           ____________  Backplane     |
> P1      FDDI                            - |          |                |
> P2       "                              - |          |                |
> Ethernet:                                 |          |                |
> P3 (Front AUI)  Thinwire -----------DESTA-|          |                |
> P4 (Front AUI)  Thinwire -----------DESTA-|          |  no connection |
> P5 (10BaseT)    AXP XXn  --(crossed?)-----|          |  to backplane  |
> P6 (10BaseT)    AXP XXn  --(crossed?)-----|          |
> P7 (10BaseT)    AXP XXn  --(crossed?)-----|          |
> P8 (10BaseT)    AXP XXn  --(crossed?)-----|          |

> Port numbers chosen random.

And slightly incorrect; 
        
    Port 1 is the FDDI port (it is only 1 port, even though it has 
           2 connectors)

    Ports 2 & 7 are the AUI ports; a DESTA is too big to use here - it 
           will cover the adjacent 10bT port, but the newer AUI-Thinwire 
           MAU works fine.

The 10bT cables do need to be crossover cables.

> He wants to use it for bridging between the different ethernet ports
> actually. Later he wants to put the ALPHAs on the FDDI ring.
> According to some notes here, I doubt, that this is possible, but I would like
> to get a confirmation.

I'm not sure what notes you are referring to, but putting the AXPs on
the FDDI is just fine (it's how we do it here in DEChub Engineering).
We put the FDDI onto the backplane and connect servers through a
concentrator. 

> Even the above is already a compromise, since he really needs bridging
> between 1 - 2 Thickwire and 3 Thinwire segments.
> ...
> If his needs can't be fullfilled now, is there a product planned, which
> will provide a solution for him?

As mentioned in an earlier note, there is a 16 port Thinwire repeater
under development now; it will support per-port LAN hopping onto up to
6 backplane LANs; should meet your customers needs very neatly (Talk
to Vernon Hines about availability).  You could put the 10bT ports of
the bridge (excuse me - the switch) onto the backplane to the 10b2
repeater ports and use the AUI ports on the switch for the thickwires.

    
    You can put 2 FDDI systems on to your config without using a
    DECconcentrator 900MX.  Just leave the A and B ports to the front
    panel on the DECswitch 900 (aka  DECbridge 900) and run a fiber
    patch cable to 2 systems.  The A and B ports support connecting
    to S ports (systems).

    I need 4 900CP modules but an interim solution of DEFAR's with DETPM's
    and crossed UTP cables has allowed us to go from UTP ports on the
    DECswitch 900 thru a crossed cable to a UTP MAU on the DEFAR
    (standalone) to give thinwire.  Not clean but works.

    dave    

    
    
    Thanks very much for all the information, and especially thanks from
    the customer, who is almost sure, that most of his needs seem to be
    fullfilled. He is also definitely sure, that he will order the new
    16 port thinwire repeater, when it is available.
    But I still need some clarification:
    
>    Ports 2 & 7 are the AUI ports; a DESTA is too big to use here - it 
>           will cover the adjacent 10bT port, but the newer AUI-Thinwire 
>           MAU works fine.

    What's the new AUI-Thinwire MAU? Please give me a name or order#.
    
    thanks eva

    Partnumber is DECXM-AA.