Updated: 29 July 1997
Product Brief Home
Industry-leading switching performance with unmatched technology integration
Imagine a true multi-gigabit, multi-technology switching system that adapts to your changing networked computing needs as easily as clicking a mouse. It's not a dream-it's what you get with the DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system. This versatile, award-winning switching platform exceeds the performance required by today's demanding network applications-so your investments are protected into the future. Plus, you get the flexibility to integrate multiple technologies with assured interoperability and easy software manageability.
With the MultiSwitch 900 system, you get the only switching chassis that can deliver multi-gigabit switching performance-regardless of networking technology-designed for wiring closet and data center configurations. Whether your switching requirements include Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI or ATM, the DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 maximizes network performance across all these technologies.
Built on the enVISN architecture to ensure scalable bandwidth and easy, flexible network reconfiguration, the MultiSwitch 900 system is the ideal solution for today's dynamic network environment. Its non-blocking, low-latency, multi-gigabit switching fabric ensures maximum performance for heterogeneous networks. With its built-in, standards-based multi-technology switching capability, the MultiSwitch 900 switching platform also integrates disparate, multivendor, shared and switched LANs with ease. And, with DIGITAL clearVISN policy-based management applications, you can manage complex, multitechnology networks through an easy, graphical interface from a single centralized management platform.
For outstanding network performance today, get the switching platform designed for tomorrow-the DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system.
Benefits
DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900: The Inside Story
Built-in hub management module
LCD status display
"at-a-glance management"
Out-of-band management port
Multi-gigabit passive matrix backplane
True "smart power" architecture
VNswitch 900-Multi-technology switch products:
Designed to meet your current and future network requirement
High-performance, software-definable switching backplane
With its unique open technology, 5.6 Gb/s aggregate bandwidth, and 1.2 Gb/s multi-technology VNbus distributed switching fabric, the MultiSwitch 900 system delivers optimum, multilayer switching performance along with support for the full complement of current and emerging packet and cell-based technologies. And thanks to a softwaredefinable, multi-technology backplane, all it takes is a simple click of the mouse to reconfigure your network, add a new LAN technology, or create virtual LANs.
A unique feature of the DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system, this softwaredefinable backplane offers maximum freedom of choice and investment protection. Unlike hardware-based backplanes, the MultiSwitch 900 offers extensive scalability and technology migration. A network administrator simply defines the type and number of LANs supported through the graphical interface of DIGITAL's clearVISN MultiChassis Manager network management tool. Moves, adds, and changes are accomplished in minutes without the need for hardware modifications or obsolescence.
You can also smoothly migrate from shared to switched networking since the backplane supports a wide variety of shared hub, access server and routing products without compromise or complications. In fact, all existing DIGITAL 90/900 series products are fully supported by the MultiSwitch 900 system.
MultiSwitch 900-software-definable channels
Example of MultiSwitch 900 backplane software-configured for high-speed, multi-gigabit, multi-technology layer 2 & 3, switching solution Token Rings (2)
Example of MultiSwitch 900 backplane software-configured to provide multiple OC-3, native ATM cell channels
Simple, low-cost network management
The DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system includes a built-in Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) chassis management agent-no need to purchase a separate agent. This chassis agent is specifically designed to manage multislot chassis functions, enabling you to create and delete LAN types, allocate bandwidth, and configure switching and connectivity modules onto the backplane across all eight chassis slots on the backplane.
This integral agent design, combined with DIGITAL clearVISN policy-based management software, provides full SNMP management without sacrificing valuable hub slots or straining your budget to add extra management modules. clearVISN provides the same easy-to-use, graphical interface for both in-band and out-of-band management, so you can instantly switch traffic, reconfigure LAN segments, and manage your hubs with the click of a mouse.
POWERswitch-the easy way to provide redundant AC power
The POWERswitch is an optional stand-alone device that is easily attached to the MultiSwitch 900 chassis to provide redundant AC power.
The POWERswitch provides an extra level of protection, offering the following capabilities:
Indicator lights on the outside of the POWERswitch show the presence of a primary power source, an auxiliary power source, and AC power. If the primary power source fails, the POWERswitch will automatically switch to auxiliary power within 20 milliseconds-preventing the loss of your network connection. When the primary power returns, the POWERswitch automatically switches back to the primary source, again within 20 milliseconds.
Maximum uptime with redundant power
The DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 power system is a true hot-swappable design, ensuring N+1 power redundancy regardless of the system configuration. The MultiSwitch 900 system supports up to four power
supply units, which can be added incrementally. This not only minimizes cost, but provides multiple levels of power redundancy when needed. As a result, you are assured of maximum uptime for your networked computing environment.
Technical specifications
Chassis
Height 57.8 cm (22.75 in)
Width 44.5 cm (17.5 in)
Depth, chassis only 5.1 cm (2.0 in)
Depth, power supply 21.6 cm (8.5 in) module only
Depth, 900 series products 15.2 cm (6.0 in) network module only
Depth, 90 series products 11.2 cm (4.4 in) network module only
Operating temperature 5 degrees C to 50 degrees C
(41 degrees F to 122 degrees F)
Humidity 10% to 95% non-condensing
Chassis with rack/wall 14.4 kg (32 lb) mounting brackets
Power supply 2.25 kg (5 lb)
90 series products 0.68 kg (1.5 lb) typical 90 module
900 series products 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) typical 900 module
Rack mount option
Mounting area
Height 57.8 cm (22.75 in)
Width 45.0 cm (17.71 in)
Depth 31.8 cm (12.5 in)
Required clearance
Bottom 7.7 cm (3 in)
Top, sides, rear None
Front As required for attached cabling
Wall mount option
Mounting area
Height 57.8 cm (22.75 in)
Width 44.5 cm (17.5 in)
Required clearance
Top and bottom 7.7 cm (3 in)
Sides 2.54 cm (1 in)
Depth from wall 1.8 cm (12.5 in)
Electrical
Input voltage 88 to 264 V auto-ranging
AC line frequency 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Input current Less than 10 A
Maximum heat 730 W dissipation
Maximum input power 1,000 VA consumption
Worldwide service and support
The DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system is covered by a one-year return-to-DIGITAL warranty. For additional related services, contact your local DIGITAL Multivendor Customer Services organization or authorized reseller.
For more information
For more information about the DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 system and other DIGITAL network products, or for the name of the DIGITAL reseller nearest you, call 800-457-8211 in the United States only; worldwide, Fax +1 508-392-0605.
Ordering information
DIGITAL Part # Description
DMHUB-## DIGITAL MultiSwitch 900 8-slot
switching Chassis (includes one power
supply)
H7894-MA MultiSwitch 900 redundant power
supply units
H7661-AA POWERswitch - Redundant AC power option
Note: ## should be replaced by the following letters to ensure
that the appropriate country kit is ordered.
AA = U.S., Canada, and Japan;
AC = Denmark; AE = United Kingdom; AI = Italy; AK = Switzerland;
AT = Israel; AX = Central Europe; AZ = Australia;
BJ = India and South Africa
Visit us on the World Wide Web U.S. http://www.networks.digital.com Europe http://www.networks.europe.digital.com Australia http://www.digital.com.au/networks Japan http://www.dec-j.co.jp/ic/network
DIGITAL believes that the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date; such information is subject to change without notice. DIGITAL is not responsible for any inadvertent errors.
DIGITAL conducts its business in a manner that conserves the environment and protects the safety and health of its employees, customers, and the community.
DIGITAL, the DIGITAL logo, clearVISN, DECswitch, enVISN, MultiSwitch, PORTswitch, and POWERswitch are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
Printed in U.S.A. EC-F8175-42 Rel.# XXX/97 01 27 x.x Copyright 1997 Digital Equipment Corporation. All Rights Reserved.