Amer Networks SS3GR24i - Manual (Page 30)

SS3GR24i/SS3GR48i Layer3 Stackable Gigabit Switch User’s Guide
in full-duplex mode are considered to be P2P ports, unless
manually overridden through configuration.
802.1d/802.1w Compatibility
RSTP can interoperate with legacy equipment and is capable of
automatically adjusting BPDU packets to 802.1d format when
necessary. However, any segment using 802.1 STP will not benefit
from the rapid transition and rapid topology change detection of
RSTP. The protocol also provides for a variable used for migration
in the event that legacy equipment on a segment is updated to use
RSTP.
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree
Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) allows the creation of
multiple spanning tree domains. Each spanning tree instance
provides the same advantages as the regular Spanning tree -
however now the network administrator can utilize the links in the
network to their fullest. Load balancing spreads the traffic across
the multiple paths, improving performance. MSTP also deals
properly with VLANS that cross switch boundaries. MSTP is
compatible with RSTP. MSTP uses a modified RSTP for rapid
convergence of spanning tree data. MSTP spanning trees are also
called MSTP instances. MSTP instances are grouped together into
MSTP configurations, also known as MSTP regions. Each MSTP
configuration consists of one or more MSTP instances. An MSTP
configuration has a number, a name, and a revision level. The
MSTP instances within an MSTP configuration must share
protocol timing values - Hello Time, Maximum Age, and Forward
Delay. A given switch may only be part of one MSTP configuration.
Each MSTP instance is a spanning tree, but its members are
VLANs rather than switches. The MSTP instance may have one or
more VLANs. A given VLAN may only participate in one MSTP
instance. Each MSTP configuration will have an instance root and
the instance root will store the internal spanning tree (IST) for the
MSTP configuration. The MSTP configurations will communicate
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