1. Choose Switch > RSTP Config.

  2. Configure settings using the information in the following table as a guide.

    RSTP Configuration Parameters

    ItemDescription

    System Configuration

    System Priority

    Designates a priority number between 0 and 61440 in increments of 4096 (default is 32768). The lower the system priority the more likely the switch is to become root in Spanning tree.

    Hello Time (s)

    Specifies the number of seconds between periodic configuration Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). Default is two seconds.

    Max Age (# of hops)

    Sets the maximum time that a BPDU is saved Default is 20.

    Forward Delay (s)

    Sets the time spent in the Listening and Learning states. Default is 15 seconds.

    Force Version

    Selects the RSTP protocol version to use:

    • Normal—Use RSTP (default)

    • Compatible—Compatible with old STP

    Port Configuration

    Protocol Enabled

    Enables or disables RSTP for this port. Default is disabled.

    EdgeConfigures the port as an edge port if a port has no other bridge attached to it. The checkbox is selected by default.
    Path CostSets the path cost of the link connected to this port leading to the root bridge. This is dependent on the speed of the link. Designated ports are selected based on the lowest path cost to the root bridge for a segment. Default is auto.
    Port State

    Displays the current state of the port:

    • Blocking—A port that would cause a switching loop. No user data is sent or received but it may go into forwarding mode if the other links in use were to fail and the spanning tree algorithm determined the port may transition to the forwarding state. BPDU data is still received in blocking state.

    • Listening—The switch processes BPDUs and awaits possible new information that would cause it to return to the blocking state.

    • Learning—While the port does not yet forward frames (packets) it does learn source addresses from frames received and adds them to the filtering database (switching database).

    • Forwarding—A port receiving and sending data in normal operation. STP still monitors incoming BPDUs that would indicate it should return to the blocking state to prevent a loop.

    • Disabled—Not strictly part of STP, the administrator can manually disable the port.

    • Non-STP—RSTP is not enabled on this port.

  3. Configure settings in Manage RSTP System Configuration.