Configuring the Switch

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Once a stable network topology has been established, all bridges listen for Hello
BPDUs (Bridge Protocol Data Units) transmitted from the Root Bridge. If a bridge
does not get a Hello BPDU after a predefined interval (Maximum Age), the bridge
assumes that the link to the Root Bridge is down. This bridge will then initiate
negotiations with other bridges to reconfigure the network to reestablish a valid
network topology.
RSTP is designed as a general replacement for the slower, legacy STP. RSTP is
also incorporated into MSTP. RSTP achieves must faster reconfiguration (i.e.,
around one tenth of the time required by STP) by reducing the number of state
changes before active ports start learning, predefining an alternate route that can be
used when a node or port fails, and retaining the forwarding database for ports
insensitive to changes in the tree structure when reconfiguration occurs.
When using STP or RSTP, it may be difficult to maintain a stable path between all
VLAN members. Frequent changes in the tree structure can easily isolate some of
the group members. MSTP (an extension of RSTP) is designed to support
independent spanning trees based on VLAN groups. Once you specify the VLANs to
include in a Multiple Spanning Tree Instance (MSTI), the protocol will automatically
build an MSTI tree to maintain connectivity among each of the VLANs. MSTP
maintains contact with the global network because each instance is treated as an
RSTP node in the Common Spanning Tree (CST).

Displaying Global Settings

You can display a summary of the current bridge STA information that applies to the
entire switch using the STA Information screen.
Field Attributes
•Spanning Tree State – Shows if the switch is enabled to participate in an
STA-compliant network.
•Bridge ID – A unique identifier for this bridge, consisting of the bridge priority and
MAC address (where the address is taken from the switch system).
•Max Age – The maximum time (in seconds) a device can wait without receiving a
configuration message before attempting to reconfigure. All device ports (except
for designated ports) should receive configuration messages at regular intervals.
Any port that ages out STA information (provided in the last configuration
message) becomes the designated port for the attached LAN. If it is a root port, a
new root port is selected from among the device ports attached to the network.
(References to “ports” in this section mean “interfaces,” which includes both ports
and trunks.)
x
Designated
Root
Designated
Port
Designated
Bridge
x x
x
Root
Port
x