CHAPTER
17-1
Catalyst2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11380-05
17
Configuring Port-Based Traffic Control
This chapter describes how to configure the port-based traffic control features on your switch.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the command
reference for this release.
This chapter consists of these sections:
Configuring Storm Control, page 17-1
Configuring Protected Ports, page 17-3
Configuring Port Security, page 17-4
Displaying Port-Based Traffic Control Settings, page 17-12

Configuring Storm Control

These sections include storm control configuration information and procedures:
Understanding Storm Control, page 17-1
Default Storm Control Configuration, page 17-2
Enabling Storm Control, page 17-2
Disabling Storm Control, page 17-3

Understanding Storm Control

A packet storm occurs when a large number of broadcast, unicast, or multicast packets are received on
a port. Forwarding these packets can cause the network to slow down or to time out. Storm control is
configured for the switch as a whole but operates on a per-port basis. By default, storm control is
disabled.
Storm control uses rising and falling thresholds to block and then restore the forwarding of broadcast,
unicast, or multicast packets. You can also set the swit ch to shut do wn t he port when th e ri sing thresho ld
is reached.
Storm control uses a bandwidth-based method to measure traffic activity. The thresholds are expressed
as a percentage of the total available bandwidth that can be used by the broadcast, multicast, or unicast
traffic.