Alcatel-Lucent 6800, 9000, 6850 user manual Spanning Tree, Syslog to Multiple Hosts, Switch Logging

Software Supported

Once the contents of the working directory are established as good files, then these files can be saved to the certified directory and used as the most reliable software to which the switch can be rolled back to in an emergency situation.

Spanning Tree

In addition to the Q2005 version of MSTP, the Alcatel Spanning Tree implementation also provides support for the 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Algorithm and Protocol (RSTP) and the 802.1D Spanning Tree Algorithm and Protocol (STP). All three supported protocols ensure that there is always only one data path between any two switches for a given Spanning Tree instance to prevent network loops.

Q2005 (MSTP) is only available when the flat mode is active for the switch. The flat mode applies a single spanning tree instance across all VLAN port connections on a switch. MSTP allows the configuration of Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTIs) in addition to the CST instance. Each MSTI is mapped to a set of VLANs. As a result, flat mode can now support the forwarding of VLAN traffic over separate data paths.

802.1D STP and 802.1w RSTP are available in both the flat and 1x1 mode. However, when using 802.1D or 802.1w in the flat mode, the single spanning tree instance per switch algorithm applies. Note that 802.1w is now the default Spanning Tree protocol for the switch regardless of which mode is active. This default value will apply to future releases as well.

Syslog to Multiple Hosts

You can now send syslog files to multiple hosts, up to a maximum of four servers.

Switch Logging

The Switch Logging feature is designed to provide a high-level event logging mechanism that can be useful in maintaining and servicing the switch. Switch Logging uses a formatted string mechanism to process log requests from applications. When a log request is received, Switch Logging verifies whether the Severity Level included with the request is less than or equal to the Severity Level stored for the appro- priate Application ID. If it is, a log message is generated using the formatting specified by the log request and placed on the Switch Log Queue, and Switch Logging returns control back to the calling application. Otherwise, the request is discarded. The default output device is the log file located in the Flash File System. Other output devices can be configured via Command Line Interface. All log records generated are copied to all configured output devices.

Command Line Interface can be used to display and configure Switch Logging information. Log informa- tion can be helpful in resolving configuration or authentication issues, as well as general errors.

Text File Configuration

The text file configuration feature allows you to configure the switch using an ASCII-based text file. You may type CLI commands directly into a text document to create a configuration file. This file resides in the switch’s file system. You can create configuration files in the following ways.

•You may create, edit and view a file using a standard text editor (such as Microsoft NotePad) on a workstation. The resulting configuration file is then uploaded to the switch.

•You can invoke the switch’s CLI snapshot command to capture the switch’s current configuration into a text file.

•You can use the switch’s text editor to create or make changes to a configuration file.

page 34 OmniSwitch 6800/6850/9000—Release 6.1.3.R01