Moxa Technologies PT-7728 user manual Using STP on a Network with Multiple VLANs

PT-7728 User’s Manual Featured Functions

yBridge A has been selected as the Root Bridge, since it was determined to have the lowest Bridge Identifier on the network.

ySince Bridge A is the Root Bridge, it is also the Designated Bridge for LAN segment 1. Port 1 on Bridge A is selected as the Designated Bridge Port for LAN Segment 1.

yPorts 1 of Bridges B, C, X, and Y are all Root Ports sine they are nearest to the Root Bridge, and therefore have the most efficient path.

yBridges B and X offer the same Root Path Cost for LAN segment 2. However, Bridge B was selected as the Designated Bridge for that segment since it has a lower Bridge Identifier. Port 2 on Bridge B is selected as the Designated Bridge Port for LAN Segment 2.

yBridge C is the Designated Bridge for LAN segment 3, because it has the lowest Root Path Cost for LAN Segment 3:

yThe route through Bridges C and B costs 200 (C to B=100, B to A=100)

yThe route through Bridges Y and B costs 300 (Y to B=200, B to A=100)

yThe Designated Bridge Port for LAN Segment 3 is Port 2 on Bridge C.

Using STP on a Network with Multiple VLANs

IEEE Std 802.1D, 1998 Edition, does not take into account VLANs when calculating STP information—the calculations only depend on the physical connections. Consequently, some network configurations will result in VLANs being subdivided into a number of isolated sections by the STP system. You must ensure that every VLAN configuration on your network takes into account the expected STP topology and alternative topologies that may result from link failures.

The following figure shows an example of a network that contains VLANs 1 and 2. The VLANs are connected using the 802.1Q-tagged link between Switch B and Switch C. By default, this link has a port cost of 100 and is automatically blocked because the other Switch-to-Switch connections have a port cost of 36 (18+18). This means that both VLANs are now subdivided—VLAN 1 on Switch units A and B cannot communicate with VLAN 1 on Switch C, and VLAN 2 on Switch units A and C cannot communicate with VLAN 2 on Switch B.

100BaseTX full-duplex Link; only carries VLAN1 (path cost =18)

Block

100BaseTX full-duplex Link; only carries VLAN2 (path cost =18)

802.1Q tagged, 10BaseTx half-duplex Link camies VLAN1, 2 (path cost = 100)

To avoid subdividing VLANs, all inter-switch connections should be made members of all available 802.1Q VLANs. This will ensure connectivity at all times. For example, the connections between Switches A and B, and between Switches A and C should be 802.1Q tagged and carrying VLANs 1 and 2 to ensure connectivity.

See the Configuring Virtual LANs section for more information about VLAN Tagging.

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