Chapter 13. The Spanning Tree Protocol
The cost of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) extra equipment often is negligible compared to the cost of a network failure. The usual way to prevent network failures is to install extra equipment and extra network links. However, as discussed in Chapter 12, "Ethernet Bridges and Layer 2 Switches," multiple paths leading to the same LAN destination form loops that cause bridges to crash.
If redundant LAN paths are created, some must be placed in backup mode. If these paths are needed to cope with a network failure, they must be upgraded to active status.
Manually controlling the topology of a big, complicated LAN can be a tough jobe—specially since several administrators may be allowed to add and remove ...
Get Local Area High Speed Networks now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
