Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series User Manual

18-2
Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11194-09
Chapter 18 Configuring Optional Spanning-Tree Features
Understanding Optional Spanning-Tree Features
Understanding Port Fast
Port Fast immediately brings an interface configured as an access or trunk port to the forwarding state
from a blocking state, bypassing the listening and learning states. You can use Port Fast on ports
connected to a single workstation or server, as shown in Figure 18-1, to allow those devices to
immediately connect to the network, rather than waiting for the spanning tree to converge.
Ports connected to a single workstation or server should not receive bridge protocol data units (BPDUs).
A port with Port Fast enabled goes through the normal cycle of spanning-tree status changes when the
switch is restarted.
Note Because the purpose of Port Fast is to minimize the time ports must wait for spanning-tree to converge,
it is effective only when used on ports connected to end stations. If you enable Port Fast on a port
connecting to another switch, you risk creating a spanning-tree loop.
If your switch is running PVST+, rapid PVST+, or MSTP, you can enable this feature by using the
spanning-tree portfast interface configuration or the spanning-tree portfast default global
configuration command.
Figure 18-1 Port Fast-Enabled Ports
Catalyst 6000
series switch
Catalyst 3550
switch
Catalyst 2950, 2955,
or 3550 switch
WorkstationsWorkstations
Server
Port
Fast-enabled port
Port
Fast-enabled
ports
Catalyst 2950, 2955,
or 3550 switch
74622

Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series Specifications

General

Form Factor	Rack-mountable
Manageable	Yes
RAM	64 MB
Device Type	Switch
MAC Address Table Size	12000 entries
Routing Protocol	RIP
Features	VLAN support
Power Supply	AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Ports	24 or 48 x 10/100Base-TX, 1 x GBIC, 2 x 10/100/1000Base-T
Operating Temperature	32 to 113°F (0 to 45°C)