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APPENDIX B. SPANNING TREE CONCEPTS

General

The IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol resolves the problems of
physical loops in a network by establishing one primary path between any
two switches in a network. Any duplicate paths are barred from use and
become standby or blocked paths until the original path fail s, at which
point they can be brought into service.

Spanning Tree Features

The ELS100-24TXM switch meets the requirements of the Spanning Tree
Protocol (STP) by performing the following functions:
•Creates a single spanning tree from any arrangement of switching or
bridging elements.
•Compensates automatically for the failure, removal, or addition of
any device in an active data path.
•Achieves port changes in short time intervals, which establishes a
stable active topology quickly with a minimum of network
disturbance.
•Uses a minimum amount of communications bandwidth to
accomplish the operation of the Spanning Tree Protocol.
•Reconfigures the active topology in a manner that is transparent to
stations transmitting and receiving data packets.
•Manages the topology in a consistent and reproducible manner
through the use of Spanning Tree Protocol parameters.
The term “switch” is used as an equivalent to
“bridge” in this document.