Wavetronix Click 342 (lean managed ethernet switch) (CLK-342) - Managed Switches User Guide - Manual (Page 62)

CHAPTER 6 • RAPID SPANNING TREE 61
gray). This is sufficient to operate the network.
Figure 6.8 – Redundant Coupling of Network Segments
Figure 6.9 – Flowchart for Specifying the Root Path
It may be useful to actively specify the topology that is formed due to the Spanning Tree
Protocol and to not leave it to the random MAC addresses of the switches involved. Non-
blocking/blocking data paths can thus be influenced and a load distribution specified. It
may also be useful to explicitly disable the Spanning Tree Protocol at ports that do not par-
ticipate in Spanning Tree so as to benefit from the fast forwarding function. The Spanning
Tree Protocol must also be disabled at individual ports if two different network segments—
both using Spanning Tree—are to be coupled via these ports without the two tree structures
melting into a large Spanning Tree.
Specifying the Root Switch
The root switch is assigned via the assignment of an appropriate priority for the Spanning
Tree segment (see Figure 6.10). Set the highest priority (lowest value) in the Priority field
on the STP Bridge Configuration page in WBM for the switch selected as the root switch.
Make sure that all the other network switches have a lower priority (higher value). Here the
set path costs are not evaluated.