BUILDING AN 18 PORT DESKTOP THUNDERSWITCH USING TWO TNETX3100 DESKTOP THUNDERSWI

This application report explains how to connect two Texas Instruments (TI™) TNETX3100 Desktop ThunderSWITCH™ devices to build an 18 port Desktop ThunderSWITCH. This configuration allows the Ethernet switch designer to double the number of ports in a design without increasing overall system complexity.

The Desktop ThunderSWITCH enables the OEM to support a modular design in either an 8/2 or 16/2 managed or unmanaged configuration. In the unmanaged configuration, the Desktop ThunderSWITCH and External Address Look-up Engine (EALE) support auto-configuration using EEPROMs.

Optionally, the OEM can replace the EEPROMs with a CPU for a managed configuration supporting Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and remote monitoring (RMON).

This application report contains block and interconnection diagrams with a corresponding bill of materials for the configuration of two Desktop ThunderSWITCH devices. Throughput test results for the 18 port configuration are included.

Go to the Engineering Design Center to locate information on other TI Semiconductor devices.

(c) Copyright 1998 Texas Instruments Incorporated. All rights reserved.
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