Bridging vs non-Bridging
HIPPI-6400-SC standard allows for two types of GSN switch
- Non-bridging switches are configured/operated like HIPPI switches
- Bridging switches can do anything that a non-bridging switch does AND also provide
- 48-bit Universal LAN Addresses (ULAs)
- Broadcast capability
- Automatic configuration using IEEE 802.1d protocol
Caution: Convergence/similarity of GSN and Ethernet
applies only to bridging GSN switches