Hop Count Limitations

Although the source route bridge can be configured for up to 13 entries in the hop count field, typical hardware limitations of seven hops currently exist. Follow these rules and limitations when you are setting up your network:

• The path between two end stations should contain no more than seven bridges (eight rings).
• The use of the virtual internal ring (when assigned a ring number) or virtual WAN ring adds one hop to the path.

Figure 5 shows a virtual internal ring without a ring number and the virtual board driver (SRBRIDGE.LAN).

Figure 5
Adding to the Hop Count with the Virtual Internal Ring

NOTE:  A virtual ring number is not required for server-based bridging.