Configuring Rapid Spanning Tree Settings
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) detects and uses network topologies that enable a faster STP convergence without creating forwarding loops.
The RSTP Interface Settings page enables you to configure RSTP per port. Any configuration that is done on this page is active when the global STP mode is set to RSTP or MSTP.
To enter RSTP settings:
- Click Spanning Tree > STP Status and Global Settings. The STP Status and Global Settings page displays. Enable RSTP.
- Click Spanning Tree > RSTP Interface Settings. The RSTP Interface Settings page opens:
- Select a port. (Activate Protocol Migration is only available after selecting the port connected to the bridge partner being tested.)
- If a link partner is discovered by using STP, click Activate Protocol Migration to run a Protocol Migration test. This discovers whether the link partner using STP still exists, and if so whether it has migrated to RSTP or MSTP. If it still exists as an STP link, the device continues to communicate with it by using STP. Otherwise, if it has been migrated to RSTP or MSTP, the device communicates with it using RSTP or MSTP, respectively.
- Select an interface, and click Edit. The Edit Rapid Spanning Tree page displays.
- Enter the parameters
- Interface--Set the interface, and specify the port or LAG where RSTP is to be configured.
- Point to Point Administrative Status--Define the point-to-point link status. Ports defined as Full Duplex are considered Point-to-Point port links.
- Enable--This port is a RSTP edge port when this feature is enabled, and brings it to Forwarding mode quickly (usually within 2 seconds).
- Disable--The port is not considered point-to-point for RSTP purposes, which means that STP works on it at regular speed, as opposed to rapid speed.
- Auto--Automatically determines switch status by using RSTP BPDUs.
- Point to Point Operational Status--Displays the Point-to-Point operating status if the Point to Point Administrative Status is set to Auto.
- Role--Displays the role of the port that has been assigned by STP to provide STP paths. The possible roles are:
- Root--Lowest cost path to forward packets to the Root Bridge.
- Designated--The interface through which the bridge is connected to the LAN, that provides the lowest cost path from the LAN to the Root Bridge.
- Alternate--Provides an alternate path to the Root Bridge from the root interface.
- Backup--Provides a backup path to the designated port path toward the Spanning Tree leaves. Backup ports occur when two ports are connected in a loop by a point-to-point link. Backup ports also occur when a LAN has two or more connections connected to a shared segment.
- Disabled--The port is not participating in Spanning Tree.
- Mode--Displays the current Spanning Tree mode: Classic STP or RSTP.
- Fast Link Operational Status--Displays whether the Fast Link (Edge Port) is enabled, disabled, or automatic for the interface. The values are:
- Port Status--Displays the RSTP status on the specific port.
- Disabled--STP is currently disabled on the port.
- Blocking--The port is currently blocked, and it cannot forward traffic or learn MAC addresses.
- Listening--The port is in Listening mode. The port cannot forward traffic, and cannot learn MAC addresses.
- Learning--The port is in Learning mode. The port cannot forward traffic, however it can learn new MAC addresses.
- Forwarding--The port is in Forwarding mode. The port can forward traffic and learn new MAC addresses.
- Click Apply. The Running Configuration file is updated..