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16CHAPTER 1: SWITCH FEATURES OVERVIEW
Spanning Tree Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) Protocol and Rapid are
Spanning Tree link failure and also provides protection from network loops — one of Protocol the major causes of broadcast storms.
STP allows you to implement alternative paths for network traffic in the event of path failure and uses a
■Discover the efficiency of each path.
■Enable the most efficient path.
■Disable the less efficient paths.
■Enable one of the less efficient paths if the most efficient path fails.
RSTP is an enhanced version of the STP feature and is enabled by default.
RSTP can restore a network connection quicker than the STP feature.
STP conforms to the IEEE
For more information about STP and RSTP, see Chapter 4 “Using
Resilience Features”.
Switch Database The Switch Database is an integral part of the Switch and is used by the Switch to determine if a packet should be forwarded, and which port should transmit the packet if it is to be forwarded.
For more information about the Switch Database, see Chapter 5 “Using the Switch Database”.
Traffic Prioritization Traffic prioritization allows your network traffic to be prioritized to ensure that high priority data, such as
Traffic prioritization ensures that high priority data is forwarded through the Switch without being delayed by lower priority data. Traffic prioritization uses the two traffic queues that are present in the hardware of the Switch to ensure that high priority traffic is forwarded on a different queue from lower priority traffic. High priority traffic is given preference over low priority traffic to ensure that the most critical traffic gets the highest level of service.