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7
SPANNING TREE PROTOCOL (STP)
Using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) functionality of the Switch 3800
makes your network more fault tolerant.
The following sections describe STP concepts, and how STP features are
supported by the Switch.
STP is a part of the 802.1d bridge specification defined by the IEEE
Computer Society. To explain STP more effectively, the Switch 3800 will
be defined as a bridge.
Overview of the
Spanning Tree
Protocol
STP is a bridge-based mechanism for providing fault tolerance on
networks. STP allows you to implement parallel paths for network
traffic, and ensure that:
■ Redundant paths are disabled when the main paths are operational
■ Redundant paths are enabled if the main path fails
CAUTION: You should not configure any STP parameters unless you
have considerable knowledge and experience with STP. The default STP
parameters are adequate for most networks.
Figure 7-1 shows a network containing three LAN segments separated
by three bridges. Using this configuration, each segment can
communicate with the others by using two paths.
SW3800.BK Page 1 Tuesday, May 5, 1998 5:20 PM