Spanning Tree Protocol; Protocol Overview; Configuring Spanning Tree - Dell Force10 C150 Configuration Manual

Spanning Tree Protocol

Spanning Tree Protocol
STP is supported on the E-Series ExaScale platform with FTOS 8.1.1.2 and later.

Protocol Overview

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol—specified by IEEE 802.1d—that eliminates loops in a
bridged topology by enabling only a single path through the network. By eliminating loops, the protocol
improves scalability in a large network and enables you to implement redundant paths, which can be
activated upon the failure of active paths. Layer 2 loops, which can occur in a network due to poor network
design and without enabling protocols like xSTP, can cause unnecessarily high switch CPU utilization and
memory consumption.
FTOS supports three other variations of Spanning Tree, as shown here:
Table 52-1. FTOS Supported Spanning Tree Protocols
Dell Force10 Term
Spanning Tree Protocol
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol
Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol
Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus

Configuring Spanning Tree

Configuring Spanning Tree is a two-step process:
1. Configure interfaces for Layer 2. See
2. Enable Spanning Tree Protocol. See
is supported on platforms:
IEEE Specification
802.1d
802.1w
802.1s
Third Party
page 1051.
page 1052.
c e s
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