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Section 9. Conguring the Spanning Tree Protocol
The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) provides tree topography for any arrangement of bridges. STP also provides a single
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 trafc indenitely, resulting in increased trafc and reducing network
efciency.
The TP-Link device supports the following STP versions:
Classic STP — Provides a single path between end stations, avoiding and eliminating loops.
For more information on conguring Classic STP, see Conguring the Classic STP.
Rapid STP — Detects and uses network topologies that provide faster convergence of the spanning tree, without
creating forwarding loops.
For more information on conguring Rapid STP, see Conguring the Rapid STP.
Multiple STP — Provides various load balancing scenarios. For example, if port A is blocked in one STP instance, the
same port can be placed in the Forwarding State in another STP instance.
For more information on conguring Multiple STP, see Conguring the Multiple STP.
This section contains the following topics:
Conguring the Classic STP
Conguring the Rapid STP
Conguring the Multiple STP
9.1 Conguring the Classic STP
This section describes the following topics:
Dening STP Properties
Dening STP Interface Settings
9.1.1 Dening STP Properties
The STP Properties Page contains parameters for enabling STP on the device.
To dene STP properties:
1. Click System > Bridging Info > Spanning Tree > STP
> Properties. The STP Properties Page opens:
Figure 84: STP Properties Page
The STP Properties Page contains the following elds:
Spanning Tree State — Indicates whether STP is
enabled on the device. The possible eld values are:
– Enable — Enables STP on the device.
– Disable — Disables STP on the device.
STP Operation Mode — Species the STP mode that
is enabled on the device. The possible eld values are:
– Classic STP — Enables Classic STP on the device.
This is the default value.