The network design is implemented by the switch configurations, so understanding the configurations is the key to understanding the network. The installation sheet generated by the Metasys IP Network Wizard provides an essential summary. It includes an overview of the configuration, and information about the rest of the system that you are required to configure.
The configuration file and installation sheet are usually delivered on an SD card. To understand the network better, remove the SD card from the slot on the switch, insert the card into the card slot on your laptop, and copy the Installation Sheet file. Then return the card to the slot on the switch and close the cover.
The Installation Sheet has network information such as an addressing plan that can confirm or correct presumptions made at the network design stage. It also has port assignments for all the switches. For example, Figure 1 shows the connection assignments for the ports of the switch shown in Figure 1 above.
FastEthernet ports 1 and 2 are for a ring of controllers that support MRP. Port 3 is for a daisy chain of controllers. A single controller is part of a chain of one, and can be connected to the port. Port 5 is for the network engine . Ports 6 and 7 are not used. Port 8 is for a service laptop, for example, a laptop running the Controller Configuration Tool (CCT). Gigabit Ethernet port 1 is the connection to the rest of the network. Gigabit Ethernet port 2 is not configured.
An actual configuration may differ from the example shown in Figure 1. For example, a switch may have up to three rings, up to two mirror ports, and an unlimited number of chain ports, subject to the overall limitation of the total number of ports. A chain of length one is also known as a home-run connection.