8   ESR Series Routers Operation Manual 
2.2.2  Functions for MAC address processing 
Table 2.2 lists MAC address processing functions of the device 
Table 2.2 —MAC address processing functions 
MAC address table sets the correspondence between MAC addresses and device 
interfaces and is used for data packet routing. Routers support table capacity up to 
16K of MAC addresses and reserve specific MAC addresses for the system use. 
MAC address table may contain either static addresses or addresses learnt during 
data packet transition through the device. 
Learning involves registration of packet source MAC addresses with their binding 
to ports and VLANs. Afterwards, this data is used for incoming packet routing. 
Registered MAC address lifetime is limited. Administrator may adjust this setting. 
If destination MAC address specified in the packet that was received by the device 
is not listed in the table, this packet will be sent further as a broadcast packet 
within L2 segment of the network. 
2.2.3  Second-layer functions of OSI model 
Table 2.3 lists second-layer functions and special aspects (OSI Layer 2).  
Table 2.3 —Second-layer functions description (OSI Layer 2) 
VLAN  (Virtual  Local  Area Network)  is  a  solution  used  for  splitting  a  network  into 
separate  segments  on  L2  level.  VLAN  utilization  allows  to  increase  the  operation 
stability  for  large  networks  by  splitting  them  into  smaller  networks,  isolate 
diversified data traffic by type and solve many other tasks. 
Routers support various VLAN management methods: 
–  VLAN based on data packet tagging according to IEEE802.1Q 
–  VLAN based on device ports (port-based) 
–  VLAN based on utilization of data classification policies (policy-based) 
Spanning Tree Protocol 
(STP) 
1
 
The main task of Spanning Tree Protocol is to exclude redundant network links and 
convert network topology into the tree-like structure. Common areas of protocol 
application involve the prevention of network traffic loops and establishing of 
redundant communication links.  
 
  
1
 In the current firmware version, this functionality is supported only by ESR-1000 router.