Intel ZT8101 user manual Advanced Setup, Spanning Tree, To configure global STP switch settings

Using the Telnet Console

Advanced Setup

Most of the following options can be configured independently of the other options. However, you must configure a VLAN before you can configure an IP interface for it.

Spanning Tree

The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) prevents loops in a network by allowing only one active path between any two network devices at a time. (For more information about using this protocol, refer to “Spanning Tree Concepts” in chapter 3.)

STP operates on two levels. On the switch level, the settings are globally implemented. On the port level, the settings are implemented on a user-defined group basis. STP must be enabled on the switch for it to be enabled on a particular port.

To configure global STP switch settings

1.From the Main Menu, select Spanning Tree and press Enter.

2.Using the spacebar, toggle the Status field to Enabled or Disabled.

The factory default settings should cover the majority of installations, and most installations should keep these default settings.

3.To change the factory default settings, configure these fields.

Field	Default	Description
		Specifies the maximum time (in seconds) the switch will wait
		for a configuration message from the root bridge. At the end
		of this time, the switch will start sending out its own
		configuration messages for permission to become the root
		bridge.
Max Age	20	The device with the lowest bridge identifier becomes the
		root bridge (see the Priority field).
		Max Age must be set within the following range:
		• The minimum value is the higher of 6 or [2 x (Hello Time
		+1)]
		• The maximum value is the lower of 40 or [2 x (Forward
		Delay -1)]
		Specifies the time interval (in seconds) between two
		configuration messages. The root bridge sends these
		messages at this interval to inform all other devices that it is
Hello Time	2	the root bridge. This time will be used if and when your
		switch becomes the root bridge.
		It can be set from 1— 10 seconds.
		The Hello Time cannot be longer than the Max Age.
		Otherwise, a configuration error occurs.

64 ZT8101 User’s Guide