Quick Q regarding Ethernet

From: Trevor Barton (tmb_at_Xisotek.co.uk)
Date: 06/23/04 

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 14:58:32 GMT

I'm starting to look at building an ethernet switch for a specialist
application that precludes using an off-the-shelf switch, and I'm interested
in the Realtek RTL8309SB because having pulled apart a couple of switches
and looked at the reference designs it looks like I can do what I want
by just adding some magnetics and LEDs and nothing much else, and that
means that I don't have to learn too much about Ethernet, because this is
a one-off and I have no forseeable need for an in-depth understanding
of things Ethernet in the future.

However, I might want to connect two RTL8309s together so that I can do
smart things with redundancy on a vulnerable link by switching on or
off the interconnection. I can do that in a number of ways that minimise
my learning curve, for example I could use a relay or a FSAL200 somewhere in
the interconnection link (I have a local controller on the LAN) to either
isolate the link or not. That will do what what I want, and I don't have to
understand a lot of stuff about Ethernet to do it.

However, if it's worth it, I am of course prepared to go into things more
deeply, but I don't want to go off on a tangent that'll turn out to be
a dead end, so I'm asking for some guidance, particularly because I don't
really know what I'm looking for at this stage.

The RTL8309SB has a 9th port, called an MII port. Can I use that port
to somehow generate another 4-wire ethernet signal? Is this to do with using
the port in MII PHY mode or SNI PHY mode?

Alternatively, can I connect together two 8309s with this port and some
glue logic (but *not* a controller of some sort) to extend the number of
ports on my switch?

I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me if I'm on the right track
or not!

Regards 

-- 
Trevor Barton

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