To provide faster spanning tree convergence after a topology change, an evolution of the
Spanning Tree Protocol: Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), introduced by IEEE with
document 802.1w. RSTP, is a refinement of STP; therefore, it shares most of its basic
operation characteristics. This essentially creates a cascading effect away from the root
bridge where each designated bridge proposes to its neighbors to determine if it can make a
rapid transition. This is one of the major elements which allows RSTP to achieve faster
convergence times than STP.
Click the folder Rapid Spanning Tree from the Switch Management menu and then three
options within this folder will be displayed as follows.
RSTP Switch Settings: Set up system priority, max Age, hello time, etc.
RSTP Aggregated Port Settings: Set up aggregation, path cost, priority, edge, etc.
RSTP Physical Port Settings: Set up physical, ability and edge status of port.
4.4.4.1 RSTP Switch Settings
Click the option RSTP Switch Settings from the Rapid Spanning Tree menu and then the
following screen page appears.