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Smart Link configuration
Smart Link overview
Background
To avoid single-point failures and guarantee network reliability, downstream devices are usually dual
uplinked to upstream devices. As shown in Figure 23, a downstream device connects to two different
upstream devices.
Figure 23 Diagram for a dual uplink network
Device A
Device E
Device DDevice C
Device B
Core network
Port
1
Port
2
Port
1
Port
1
Port
2
Port
2
Port3
Port1
Port2
Port3
Port3
Port3
Port1
Port2
Port3
User network User network
Master link
Slave link
Smart link group
A dual uplink network demonstrates high reliability, but it may contain network loops. In most cases,
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) or Rapid Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP) is used to remove network loops.
The problem with STP, however, is that STP convergence time is long, which makes it not suitable for users
who have high demand on convergence speed. RRPP can meet users’ demand on convergence speed,
but it involves complicated networking and configurations and is mainly used in ring-shaped networks.
NOTE:
For more information about STP and RRPP, see the
Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide
and
the chapter “RRPP configuration.”
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