Using the 7C0x SmartSwitch Bridge View
Finding a Filtering Database MAC Address
To find a source address in the Filtering Database:
1.In the Filtering Database window, click on the 
button to open the Find MAC Address window.
or
In the Bridge Traffic View, display the Device menu by clicking on the Front
Panel 
button. Drag down to Find MAC Address.
2.In the edit box, enter a valid MAC address and then press the Return key. If the address is found in the Filtering Database, its port location and status will appear in the list box. If it is not found, a separate window will appear with a “Not Found” message.
Figure 6-10. Find MAC Address Window
The Spanning Tree Protocol Window
Bridges in a network collectively implement a Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) to detect and eliminate data loops in a network containing parallel bridges.
In a network designed with multiple bridges placed in parallel (i.e., attached to the same network segment), Spanning Tree selects a controlling Root Bridge and Port for the entire bridged local area network, and a Designated Bridge and Port for each individual network segment. The Root bridge is the one that selects one of two or more available bridge paths between two end stations, basing its decision on factors associated with each of the bridges in the path. A Designated Port/Bridge for a network segment relays frames toward the Root Bridge, or from the Root Bridge onto the network segment. When data passes from one end station to another across a bridged local area network, it is forwarded through the Designated Bridge/Port for each network segment towards the Root Bridge, which in turn forwards frames towards Designated Bridges/Ports on its opposite side.
During the Root Bridge selection process, all bridges on the network communicate STA information via Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). It is with BPDUs that the bridges collectively determine the current network topology and ensure that all bridges have current topology information.
The Spanning Tree Protocol Window |
