H3C Technologies H3C S10500 Series Switches - Manual (Page 105)

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Smart Link configuration
Smart Link overview
Background
To avoid single-point failures and guarantee network reliability, downstream devices are usually
dual-homed to upstream devices, as shown in
Figure
25 .
Figure 25 Diagram for a dual uplink network
Device A
Device E
Device D Device C
Device B
Core network
Po
rt1
Por
t2
Po
rt1
Por
t1
Por
t2 Po
rt2
Port3
Port1
Port2
Port3
Port3
Port3
Port1
Port2
Port3
User network User network
Master link
Slave link
Smart link group
To remove network loops on a dual-homed network, you can use a spanning tree protocol or the Rapid
Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP). The problem with STP, however, is that STP convergence time is long,
which makes it not suitable for users who have high demand on convergence speed. RRPP can meet
users’ demand on convergence speed, but it involves complicated networking and configurations and is
mainly used in ring-shaped networks.
NOTE:
For more information about STP and RRPP, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide and the
chapter “RRPP configuration.”