Overview – IronPort Systems 4108GL User Manual
Page 372
16-2
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Overview
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Overview
STP Features
Use the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP— IEEE 802.1D) to ensure that only one
active path at a time exists between any two nodes on the network. In
networks where there is more than one physical, active path between any two
nodes, enabling STP ensures a single active path between such nodes by
blocking all redundant paths. Without STP, having more than one active path
between a pair of nodes causes loops in the network, which can result in
duplication of messages, leading to a “broadcast storm” that can bring down
the network.
You can use any of the switch’s built-in interfaces to configure STP. For general
information on how to use the interfaces, see:
■
Chapter 2, “Using the Menu Interface”
■
Chapter 3, “Using the Command Line Interface (CLI)”
■
Chapter 4, “Using the HP Web Browser Interface
For information on how to use switch memory, see chapter 5, “Switch Memory
and Configuration”.
N o t e
You should enable STP in any switch that is part of a redundant physical link
(loop topology). (It is recommended that you enable STP on all switches
belonging to a loop topology.) This topic is covered in more detail under “How
STP Operates” on page 16-9.
Feature
Default
Menu
CLI
Web
viewing the STP configuration
n/a
—
enable/disable STP
disabled
reconfiguring general operation priority: 32768
max age: 20 s
hello time: 2 s
fwd. delay: 15 s
reconfiguring per-port STP
path cost: var
priority: 128
mode: norm
monitoring STP
n/a