RSTP Interface Settings

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) enables a faster STP convergence without creating forwarding loops.

The RSTP Interface Settings page enables you to configure RSTP per port. Any configuration that is done on this page is active when the global STP mode is set to RSTP.

To enter RSTP settings, proceed with the following steps:

Procedure

Step 1

Click Spanning Tree > RSTP Interface Settings.

Step 2

Select an entry no. and click Activate Protocol Migration.

Note

Activate Protocol Migration is only available after selecting the port that is connected to the bridge partner being tested. The activate protocol migration discovers whether the link partner using STP still exists, and if so whether it has migrated to RSTP or MSTP. If it still exists as an STP link, the device continues to communicate with it by using STP. Otherwise, if it has been migrated to RSTP or MSTP, the device communicates with it using RSTP or MSTP, respectively.

Step 3

If you wist to edit the settings on an existing interface, select the interface, and click Edit.

Step 4

Enter the parameters:

Interface

Set the interface, and specify the port or LAG where RSTP is to be configured.

Point to Point Administrative Status

Define the point-to-point link status. Ports defined as Full Duplex are considered Point-to-Point port links.

  • Enabled-This port is an RSTP edge port when this feature is enabled, and is brought to Forwarding mode quickly (usually within 2 seconds).

  • Disabled-The port isn’t considered point-to-point for RSTP purposes, which means that STP works on it at regular speed, as opposed to high speed.

  • Auto-Automatically determines the device status by using RSTP BPDUs.

Point to Point Operational Status

Displays the Point-to-Point operational status if the Point to Point Administrative Status is set to Auto.

Role

Displays the role of the port that was assigned by STP to provide STP paths. The possible roles are:

  • Root-Lowest cost path to forward packets to the Root Bridge.

  • Designated-The interface through which the bridge is connected to the LAN, which provides the lowest cost path from the LAN to the Root Bridge.

  • Alternate-Provides an alternate path to the Root Bridge from the root port.

  • Backup-Provides a backup path to the designated port path toward the Spanning Tree leaves. This provides a configuration in which two ports are connected in a loop by a point-to-point link. Backup ports are also used when a LAN has two or more established connections to a shared segment.

  • Disabled-The port is not participating in Spanning Tree.

Mode

Displays the current Spanning Tree mode: Classic STP or RSTP.

Fast Link Operational Status

Displays whether the Fast Link (Edge Port) is enabled, disabled, or automatic for the interface. The values are:

  • Enabled-Fast Link is enabled.

  • Disabled-Fast Link is disabled.

  • Auto-Fast Link mode is enabled a few seconds after the interface becomes active.

Port Status

Displays the RSTP status on the specific port.

  • Disabled-STP is currently disabled on the port.

  • Discarding-The port is currently discarding/blocked, and it cannot forward traffic or learn MAC addresses.

  • Listening-The port is in Listening mode. The port cannot forward traffic, and cannot learn MAC addresses.

  • Learning-The port is in Learning mode. The port cannot forward traffic, however it can learn new MAC addresses.

  • Forwarding-The port is in Forwarding mode. The port can forward traffic and learn new MAC addresses.

Step 5

Click Apply. The Running Configuration file is updated.