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Catalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 13 Configuring Optional Spanning-Tree Fea tures Understanding Optional Spanning-Tree Features
Figure 13-3 UplinkFast Example Before Direct Link Failure
If Switch C detects a link failure on the currently active link L2 on the root port (a direct link failure),
UplinkFast un blocks the bl ocked port on Swit ch C an d transi tions it to the for warding state without
going t hro ugh th e lis tenin g a nd le arni ng stat es, a s shown in Figure 13-4. This change takes
appro ximatel y 1 to 5 se cond s.
Figure 13-4 UplinkFast Example After Direct Link Failure

Understanding Cross-Stack UplinkFast

Cross-stack UplinkFast (CSUF) provides a fast spanning-tree transition (fast convergence in less than
1 sec ond unde r normal networ k condit ions) across a stac k of switch es that use the Giga Stack GBICs
connected in a shared cascaded configuration (multidrop backbone). During the fast transition, an
alterna te redu ndant lin k on the stack of sw itches is pl aced in th e forwarding state witho ut causi ng
tempor ary spa nning -tre e l oo ps o r lo ss o f co nne ctivity to t he ba ck bone. With this fe a ture, yo u c an h ave
a redundant a nd resilient netw ork in some conf iguratio ns. You enable CSUF b y using the spanning-tree
stack-port interface configuration command. The CSUF feature is supported only when the switch is
running PVST.
CSUF might not pro vid e a fa st transi tion all the t ime; in th ese cases, th e normal span ning-tr ee transiti on
occurs, completing in 30 to 40 seconds. For more information, see th e Events That Cause Fast
Convergence secti on on page 13-7 .
L1
L2 L3
Switch C
Switch A
(Root) Switch B
Blocked port
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L1
L2 L3
Switch C
Switch A
(Root) Switch B
UplinkFast transitions port
directly to forwarding state.
Link failure
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