How STP Works 37

cost, the less efficient the link. Table 3 shows the default port costs for a Switch.

Table 3 Default port costs

Port Speed

Link Type

Path Cost

Path Cost

802.1D-1998

802.1w

 

 

 

 

10 Mbps

Half Duplex

100

2,000,000

 

Full Duplex

95

1,999,999

 

Aggregated Link

90

1,000,000*

100 Mbps

Half Duplex

19

200,000

 

Full Duplex

18

199,999

 

Aggregated Link

15

100,000*

1000 Mbps

Full Duplex

4

20,000

 

Aggregated Link

3

10,000*

*This path cost is correct where there are two ports in an aggregated link. However, if there are more ports in the aggregated link, the path cost will be proportionately lower. For example, if there are four ports in the aggregated link, the 802.1w path costs will be: 500,000 for

10 Mbps, 50,000 for 100 Mbps, and 5,000 for 1000 Mbps. The 802.1D-1998 path cost values are not affected by the number of ports in an aggregated link.

STP Calculation The first stage in the STP process is the calculation stage. During this stage, each bridge on the network transmits BPDUs that allow the system to work out:

The identity of the bridge that is to be the Root Bridge. The Root Bridge is the central reference point from which the network is configured.

The Root Path Costs for each bridge — that is, the cost of the paths from each bridge to the Root Bridge.

The identity of the port on each bridge that is to be the Root Port. The Root Port is the one that is connected to the Root Bridge using the most efficient path, that is, the one that has the lowest Root Path Cost. Note that the Root Bridge does not have a Root Port.

The identity of the bridge that is to be the Designated Bridge of each LAN segment. The Designated Bridge is the one that has the lowest Root Path Cost from that segment. Note that if several bridges have the same Root Path Cost, the one with the lowest Bridge Identifier becomes the Designated Bridge.

All traffic destined to pass in the direction of the Root Bridge flows through the Designated Bridge. The port on this bridge that connects to the segment is called the Designated Bridge Port.

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3Com 3 manual Port Speed Link Type Path Cost 802.1D-1998 802.1w