User guide

FN100 Architecture
Fast Network 100 User Guide Page 1-9
The FN100 learns addresses from all packets, including data
transmissions and “keep alive” packets (packets sent by an idle station to
let other stations know it is present and functional). When devices are
added to the network, removed from it, or relocated, you do not have to
reconfigure the FN100. The FN100 automatically learns new device
addresses, and recognizes when a previously used address is missing, or
when a device has been moved to a new LAN segment.
An address stored in the Bridge Address Table is discarded if there is no
subsequent activity from that address after a configured length of time
(five minutes by default). This aging process ensures that the Bridge
Address Table is continually updated.
Each dynamic entry includes:
• An Ethernet MAC address
• A single port number of the LAN on which the address resides
• Trunk group information
• Virtual switch information
The FN100 stores over 8,000 dynamic (learned) entries in its Bridge
Address Table.