Important Management Considerations; Figure 17. Star-Wired Topology Of Interconnected Switches - Cabletron Systems SmartSTACK STS16-20RM Installation And User Manual

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Important Management Considerations

A star-wired topology (see Figure 17) helps determine problems in a network
because no single cable carries all of the traffic on the network. However, serial
connections could reduce network reliability since each connecting cable and
switch could potentially divide the network should a failure occur.
If you create parallel paths directly between switches, be sure you have enabled
spanning tree protocol (the default setting for spanning tree protocol is no or
disabled). Parallel paths create endless loops that cause unsatisfactory network
operation unless you configure the switch for spanning tree capability. The
spanning tree algorithm disconnects loops in networks using the transparent
bridging algorithm or the SRT algorithm, and will block a port of one of the
switches in the parallel paths. If the port in the primary path fails, the port that has
been blocked will change automatically to the forwarding state, keeping the
network operational.

Figure 17. Star-Wired Topology of Interconnected Switches

SmartStack STS16-20RM/STS16-20FRM Token Ring Switches, P/N: 9032957-01 Preparing for Installation