Configuring Smart Link; Smart Link Overview; Background - HPE FlexNetwork HSR6800 series Configuration Manual

Configuring Smart Link

Smart Link is supported only when the SAP module is operating in bridge mode.

Smart Link overview

Background

To avoid single-point failures and guarantee network reliability, downstream devices are usually
dual-homed to upstream devices, as shown in
Figure 28 Diagram for a dual uplink network
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 STP, 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 STP, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide. For more
information about RRPP, see "Configuring RRPP."
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 has the following features:
•
Dedicated to dual uplink networks.
•
Subsecond convergence.
Figure 28.
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