4.7 Rapid Spanning Tree

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) provides tree topography for any arrangement of bridges. STP also provides one path between end stations on a network, eliminating loops.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) - While Classic Spanning Tree guarantees preventing L2 forwarding loops in a general network topology, convergence can take up to 30-60 seconds. The convergence time is considered too long for many applications. When network topology allows, faster convergence may be possible. The Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) detects and uses of network topologies that provide faster convergence of the spanning tree, without creating forwarding loops.

The devices support the following Spanning Tree protocols:

Compatiable -- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP):Provides a single path between end stations, avoiding and eliminating loops.

Normal -- Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) : Detects and uses of network topologies that provide faster spanning tree convergence, without creating forwarding loops.

#Note: The GSW-1602SF/GSW-2404SF/GSW-2416SF implement the Rapid Spanning Protocol as the default spanning tree protocol. While select “Compatibles” mode, the system use the RSTP (802.1w) to compatible and co work with another STP (802.1d)’s BPDU control packets.

This page is to enable/disable the Spanning Tree protocol. These Switch support IEEE 802.1d Spanning Tree (STP), IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP). The screen in Figure 4-24appears.

Figure 4-24Rapid Spanning Tree System/Port Configuration

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