A common application for managed switches involves configuring redundancy. The two most common ways to do this are with Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) or Sixnet’s Real-Time-Ring (RTR). This document covers the frequently asked questions regarding these two protocols and the steps required to configure their basic functionality.
Web Interface
- Note: By default, RSTP is enabled on all EL series switches. To confirm this setting or to change other default values, proceed to step 2.
- Log into the switch from your Web browser. The default username and password are admin/admin.
- In the menu on the left side, expand the Spanning Tree menu, then expand the STA submenu.
- Click Configuration.
- Select the Enabled check box next to the Spanning Tree state.
- In the Spanning Tree Type drop-down list, select RSTP.
- All other values are normally provided by the network administrator should they need to be changed from the defaults. Click Apply to activate RSTP.
- Click Information in the Left side menu to view the current RSTP status. To view individual Port status, click Port Information.
- To save your changes and make them active at startup, go to the system menu and under File management select Copy Operations.
- From the drop-down box, select Running-config to startup-config.
- Select the configuration file used at startup (ex- startup1.cfg) and click Apply.
CLI Interface
- Log into the switch from your web browser, the default username and password are admin/admin.
- Type config to enter configuration mode.
- Type spanning-tree mode rstp.
- Type end to exit configuration mode.
- Type show spanning-tree to view the current RSTP status information if desired.
- To save the current configuration and ensure it is enabled on startup, type copy running-config startup-config and press Enter. Type the name of the startup file when prompted or press Enter again to accept the default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which managed switches support RSTP?
A: All Sixnet managed switches fully support RSTP. By default, all EL series switches will have RSTP enabled. All SLX series switches with firmware 5.0 or newer will also have RSTP enabled by default.
Q: How many switches can I connect in an RSTP network?
A: You can have a maximum of 40 hops in an RSTP network. Hops are the number of connections between the two farthest points on the network. In most practical networks, this means you cannot have more that 40 switches between any two points.
Q: Can RTR and RSTP be enabled on the same switch?
A: Yes, however, a particular port may only be used for one protocol or the other. For example, if a port is part of a Real-Time-Ring, that port cannot also participate in a spanning tree.
Disclaimer
It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.
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