Configuring Transparent Bridging
Transparent and SRT Bridging Configuration Task List
BC-54
Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide
Note Each bridge in a spanning tree adopts the interval between hello BPDUs, the forward delay
interval, and the maximum idle interval parameters of the root bridge, regardless of what
its individual configuration might be.
Adjusting the Interval between Hello BPDUs
You can specify the interval between hello BPDUs. To adjust this interval, use the following command
in global configuration mode:
Defining the Forward Delay Interval
The forward delay interval is the amount of time spent listening for topology change information after
an interface has been activated for bridging and before forwarding actually begins. To change the default
interval setting, use the following command in global configuration mode:
Defining the Maximum Idle Interval
If a bridge does not hear BPDUs from the root bridge within a specified interval, it assumes that the
network has changed and recomputes the spanning-tree topology. To change the default interval setting,
using the following command in global configuration mode:
Disabling the Spanning Tree on an Interface
When a loop-free path exists between any two bridged subnetworks, you can prevent BPDUs generated
in one transparent bridging subnetwork from impacting nodes in the other transparent bridging
subnetwork, yet still permit bridging throughout the bridged network as a whole. For example, when
transparently bridged LAN subnetworks are separated by a WAN, BPDUs can be prevented from
traveling across the WAN link.
To disable the spanning tree on an interface, use the following command in interface configuration mode:
Command Purpose
bridge bridge-group hello-time seconds Specifies the interval between hello BPDUs.
Command Purpose
bridge bridge-group forward-time seconds Sets the default of the forward delay interval.
Command Purpose
bridge bridge-group max-age seconds Changes the amount of time a bridge will wait to hear BPDUs from
the root bridge.
Command Purpose
bridge-group bridge-group spanning-disabled Disables the spanning tree on an interface.