Advanced Management
Page 4-2
How It Works
All bridges on the network communicate with each other using special
packets called Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). The information
exchanged in the BPDUs enables bridges on the network to:
G Elect a single bridge to be the root bridge.
G Calculate the shortest path from each bridge to the root.
G Select a designated bridge on each segment, which lies closest to
the root and forwards traffic to the root.
G Select a port on each bridge to forward traffic to the root.
G Select the ports on each bridge that forward traffic, and place the
redundant ports in blocking state.
Enabling and Disabling STP
The IntraCore 8000 is shipped with spanning tree enabled on all ports by
default. To enable or disable STP on your IntraCore 8000, use the following
procedure.
1 Type c to open the Configuration Menu.
2 Open the Spanning Tree Configuration Menu by typing s
in the Configuration Menu. See Figure 4-1.
3 Type t to toggle STP to enabled or disabled.
4 If you select disabled, you are prompted to confirm the
change.
The STP status is changed. The status is displayed near
the top of the Spanning Tree Configuration Menu.