Linksys SRW2024 - Manual (Page 78)

68 Chapter 5: Using the Web-based Utility for Configuration
Spanning Tree
WebView Switches
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.
Loops occur when alternate routes exist between hosts. Loops in an extended network can cause bridges to
forward traffic indefinitely, resulting in increased traffic and reducing network efficiency.
The device supports the following Spanning Tree versions:
• Classic STP. Provides a single path between end stations, avoiding and eliminating loops.
• Rapid STP. Detects and uses network topologies that provide faster convergence of the spanning tree,
without creating forwarding loops.
• Multiple STP. Provides full connectivity for packets allocated to any VLAN. Multiple STP is based on the
RSTP. In addition, Multiple STP transmits packets assigned to different VLANs through different MST
regions. MST regions act as a single bridge.
Spanning Tree Tab - STP Status
The STP Status screen describes the STP status on the device.
Spanning Tree State. Indicates if STP is enabled on the device.
Spanning Tree Mode. Indicates the STP mode by which STP is enabled on the device.
Bridge ID. Identifies the Bridge priority and MAC address.
Designated Root. Indicates the ID of the bridge with the lowest path cost to the instance ID.
Root Port. Indicates the port number that offers the lowest cost path from this bridge to the Root Bridge. It is
significant when the Bridge is not the Root. The default is zero.
Root Path Cost. The cost of the path from this bridge to the root.
Root Maximum Age (sec). Indicates the device Maximum Age Time. The Maximum Age Time indicates the
amount of time in seconds a bridge waits before sending configuration messages. The default max age is 20
seconds. The range is 6 to 40 seconds.
Figure 5-45: Spanning Tree - STP Status