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Nortel WLAN—Security Switch 2300 Series Configuration Guide

Configuring and managing spanning

tree protocol

The purpose of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is to maintain a loop-free network. A loop-free path is accomplished
when a device recognizes a loop in the topology and blocks one or more redundant paths.
WLAN Security Switch 2300 Series (WSS Software) supports 802.1D and Per-VLAN Spanning Tree protocol
(PVST+).
WSS Software uses 802.1D bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) on VLAN ports that are untagged. However, each
VLAN still runs its own instance of STP, even if two or more VLANs contain untagged ports. To run a single
instance of STP in 802.1D mode on the entire switch, configure all network ports as untagged members of the same
VLAN. WSS Software does not support running 802.1D on multiple tagged VLANs.
WSS Software uses PVST+ BPDUs on VLAN ports that are tagged. PVST+ BPDUs include tag information in the
802.1Q field of the BPDUs. WSS Software runs a separate instance of PVST+ on each tagged VLAN.
Enabling the spanning tree protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442
Changing standard spanning tree parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Configuring and managing STP fast convergence features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Displaying spanning tree information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Spanning tree configuration scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Note. STP does not run on AP access ports or wired authentication ports and does not
affect traffic flow on these port types.
Note. When you create a VLAN, STP is disabled on the new VLAN by default,
regardless of the STP state of other VLANs on the device.
Note. The IEEE 802.1D spanning tree specifications refer to networking devices that
forward Layer 2 traffic as bridges. In this context, a WSS is a bridge. Where this manual or
the product interface uses the term bridge, you can assume the term is applicable to the
WSS.