Installation and Reference Guide HP AdvanceStack 100Base-THub-12TX, Hub-12TXM, and Switch Modules 1997-06

Setting Up Network Connections 3-1
Chapter 3: Setting up Network Connections
This chapter outlines several sample configurations for a local
area network utilizing specific features of a Hub-12TX/Hub-
12TXM stack.
As described in Chapter 2, up to five Hub-12TX/Hub-12TXM
units can be connected together using the Stacking Cable,
which attaches to the Stacking Ports (on the rear panel), to
create a complete hub stack. Hubs connected in this way form
a single collision domain which extends across all hubs in the
stack. To exclude a hub in the stack from this collision domain,
it is possible to “isolate” it through configuration options in the
VT-100 console interface (refer to Chapter 4 for details). Using
the Hub-12TX/Hub-12TXM stack isolation architecture
together with optional Switch Port Modules provides
considerable flexibility when setting up network connections.
Special Architecture Used for the Hub-12TX/Hub-12TXM
Isolation Architecture
The AdvanceStack 100Base-TX Hub-12TX/Hub-TXM
supports stack connections, or isolation connections, for each
hub. You can choose to attach a hub to the stack collision
domain, or leave it isolated except for the management channel.
This type of architecture makes the system more flexible,
provides better traffic load sharing and data protection,
improves network bandwidth utilization, and simplifies
troubleshooting.
Carefully plan your network setup to make this architecture
work well for your system. Form a common domain for
devices that need to frequently communicate with each other
by attaching them to the stack and isolate hubs containing
heavy traffic that do not need to communicate with the stack