Configuring Smart Link; Overview - HPE FlexFabric 5700 Series Configuration Manual

Configuring Smart Link

Overview

To avoid single-point failures and guarantee network reliability, downstream devices are typically
dual-homed to upstream devices, as shown in
Figure 23 Dual uplink network diagram
To remove network loops on a dual-homed network, you can use a spanning tree protocol or the
Rapid Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP). However, convergence time is long with spanning tree
protocols, which makes it unsuitable for users who have high demand on convergence speed. RRPP
can meet demand on convergence speed, but it involves complicated networking and configurations
and is mainly used in ring-shaped networks.
For more information about spanning tree protocols, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration
Guide. For more information about RRPP, see
Smart Link is a feature developed to address the slow convergence issue with STP. It provides link
redundancy as well as fast convergence in a dual uplink network, allowing the backup link to take
over quickly when the primary link fails. Smart Link features subsecond convergence time.
A Smart Link device is configured with a smart link group and a transmit control VLAN to transmit
flush messages. For example, Device C and Device D in
An associated device supports Smart Link, and receives flush messages sent from the specified
control VLAN. For example, Device A, Device B, and Device E in
Figure 23.
"Configuring RRPP."
Figure 23
Figure 23
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are Smart Link devices.
are associated devices.