These LCN physical configuration attributes represent the requirements an administration imposes on the configuration of the whole of the particular LCN to be designed. In the PQ(lcn) protocol suite selection process (º5.3.2) these LCN physical configuration attributes will not only influence the choice of PQ(lcn) protocol suite, but also determine the type and quantity of mediation devices needed.
During the design of the LCN the administration may also consider the number of ports per configuration and the number of such configurations that can be served by a particular mediation device that implements the selected protocol suite.
Together with the distribution of network elements over space and the cascadibility of the mediation devices this leads to the layout of the LCN.
However, such mediation device design characteristics are beyond the scope of this Recommendation.
Some LCN physical configuration attributes are:
1. Number of NE ports
Specifies how many network element local communication ports are to be served by an LCN (including mediation devices).
Descriptor: (ports) small < 32
medium > 32, < 256
large > 256, < 2048
very large > 2048
2. Configuration
Specifies the configuration to be used for the LCN.
Descriptor: star;
bus;
ring.
3. Number of ports per configuration
Specifies how many ports are to be interconnected within a single configuration (star, bus or ring) of the LCN.
For a star configuration count the number of branches, as one port per branch is implicitly assumed. For master-slave protocol suites for the bus or ring configuration, the master is excluded from the count of ports per configuration.
Descriptor: (ports) small < 8
medium > 8, < 32
large > 32, < 128
very large > 128
4. Communication distance
Specifies the distance to be bridged within the LCN.
Descriptor: (meters) very short < 10
short > 10, < 100
medium > 100, < 1000
long > 1000
5. Communication environment
Descriptor: within-rack
on the same floor
in-building
out of building
The need to provide further attributes is for further study.
ANNEX E
(to Recommendation G.771)
LCN protocol selection attributes
These LCN protocol selection attributes summarise the capabilities of the individual PQ(lcn) protocol suites for use in the LCN protocol suite selection process described in º5.3.2.
Note - Abbreviations are given for each allowed attribute value as a key to TableF.5/G.771.