STP - Port status

[1028]

Hello.

Can I get some help about a question related to Port-status-change of STP.

I was wondering if Port-status-change (Listening-> Learning-> Forwarding or Disabled/Blocked) is only applied to a STP-enabled switch. If STP disabled or w/ non-STP switch, shouldn't the port-status-change occur like above?

Thank you,
Sun

 

[IPKONFIG]

Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol designed to run on bridges and switches. The specification for STP is called 802.1d. The main purpose of STP is to ensure that you do not run into a loop situation when you have redundant paths in your network. If STP is disabled or does not exist, then the switch should be in forwarding state right off the bat.

 

[1028]

Hello.

Thank you for your explanation.
I understand. But, please let me ask further; I have a switch (not cisco's) whose ports are going through Listening and Learning status unless forward-delay parameter is set to zero whether STP is enabled or not. If Listening and Learning status are only applied to STP-enabled switch, in case of STP-disabled, shouldn't they go through Listening and Learning status? (though ports settle in Fwd state finally, I'm wondering why they are going through Listening and Learnig state. Also, isn't Forward-delay parameter only applied to STP? Why does Forward-delay seem to work in case of STP-disabled?)

 

[IPKONFIG]

I'm not sure what your getting at with this question. If you have a switch that is going throuhg listening-> learning, then it would seem that this switch is doing STP. Regardless if it's been disabled or not. Seems like the software will not let you totally disable STP. Is this a problem your having with a switch in your network?

 

[1028]

Yes, we have a switch whose ports are going through listening -> learning even though STP is disabled. And, since ports are going through these states, if once a cable diconnected and then re-connected, it seems to take more time to be able to communicate data.

So, I can conclude that the switch can't disable STP completely.

Your explanation helps me a lot.
Thank you.
Sun

 

[MJewell]

Try checking the switch docs and look for a command similar to Cisco Portfast command... maybe you need to force them into Forwarding mode...

Mike