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Cisco Catalyst 2950 User Manual

Cisco Catalyst 2950
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14-7
Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11380-12
Chapter 14 Configuring MSTP
Understanding RSTP
In a stable topology with consistent port roles throughout the network, the RSTP ensures that every root
port and designated port immediately transition to the forwarding state while all alternate and backup
ports are always in the discarding state (equivalent to blocking in IEEE 802.1D). The port state controls
the operation of the forwarding and learning processes. Table 14-1 provides a comparison of IEEE
802.1D and RSTP port states.
To be consistent with Cisco STP implementations, this guide defines the port state as blocking instead
of discarding. Designated ports start in the listening state.
Rapid Convergence
The RSTP provides for rapid recovery of connectivity following the failure of a switch, a switch port, or
a LAN. It provides rapid convergence for edge ports, new root ports, and ports connected through
point-to-point links as follows:
Edge ports—If you configure a port as an edge port on an RSTP switch by using the spanning-tree
portfast interface configuration command, the edge port immediately transitions to the forwarding
state. An edge port is the same as a Port Fast-enabled port, and you should enable it only on ports
that connect to a single end station.
Root ports—If the RSTP selects a new root port, it blocks the old root port and immediately
transitions the new root port to the forwarding state.
Point-to-point links—If you connect a port to another port through a point-to-point link and the local
port becomes a designated port, it negotiates a rapid transition with the other port by using the
proposal-agreement handshake to ensure a loop-free topology.
As shown in Figure 14-2, Switch A is connected to Switch B through a point-to-point link, and all
of the ports are in the blocking state. Assume that the priority of Switch A is a smaller numerical
value than the priority of Switch B. Switch A sends a proposal message (a configuration BPDU) with
the proposal flag set) to Switch B, proposing itself as the designated switch.
After receiving the proposal message, Switch B selects as its new root port the port from which the
proposal message was received, forces all nonedge ports to the blocking state, and sends an
agreement message (a BPDU with the agreement flag set) through its new root port.
After receiving Switch B’s agreement message, Switch A also immediately transitions its designated
port to the forwarding state. No loops in the network are formed because Switch B blocked all of its
nonedge ports and because there is a point-to-point link between Switches A and B.
Table 14-1 Port State Comparison
Operational Status
STP Port State
(IEEE 802.1D) RSTP Port State
Is Port Included in the
Active Topology?
Enabled Blocking Discarding No
Enabled Listening Discarding No
Enabled Learning Learning Yes
Enabled Forwarding Forwarding Yes
Disabled Disabled Discarding No

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Cisco Catalyst 2950 Specifications

General IconGeneral
Forwarding Bandwidth8.8 Gbps
Switching Capacity13.6 Gbps
Forwarding Rate6.6 Mpps
Weight3.6 kg
RAM16 MB
Flash Memory8 MB
Operating Humidity10% to 85% non-condensing
Uplink Ports2 x 10/100/1000Base-T
Dimensions4.4 cm x 44.5 cm x 24.2 cm
Remote Management ProtocolSNMP, Telnet, HTTP
FeaturesQuality of Service (QoS), VLAN support
Compliant StandardsIEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.1p
Status Indicatorssystem
Operating Temperature0 to 45°C
Ports24 x 10/100 Ethernet ports
MAC Address Table Size8, 192 entries
Power SupplyInternal 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz

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