Intel 470 Switch User Manual


 
17
Using the Intel
®
NetStructure 470T and 470F Switches
CHAPTER 2
Using the 470 Switch
Spanning Tree Protocol and VLANs
The 470 switches support the Spanning Tree Protocol across the entire
switch, not across each VLAN. If VLANs create a redundant link between
two switches and both of those switches have the Spanning Tree Protocol
enabled, one of the VLANs is disabled.
The following diagram shows an example. Both Switch 1 and Switch 2 have
two port-based VLANs configured. Crossover cables connect the
ENG_VLAN on Switch 1 to ENG_VLAN on and Switch 2. Crossover cables
also connect the MKT_VLAN on Switch 1 to the MKT_VLAN on Switch 2.
When spanning tree is enabled on both switches, the redundant link between
the MKT_VLANs is blocked and those VLANs can no longer communicate.
The example below shows 470F switches.
GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP)
Because tag-based (IEEE 802.1Q) VLANs can span across the network, it
poses a challenge for network administrators to manage changes to the
VLAN. The GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) provides a
dynamic mechanism for switches to share topology information and manage
changes with other switches. This saves the network administrator from
having to manually propagate VLAN configuration information across
switches.