2 - Asante

Configuring the Spanning TreeBridge PriorityA programmable integer (from 0–65535) used to determine the priorityof the selected bridge during spanning tree configuration. Thelower the value, the higher the bridge priority and the more likely itwill be selected as a forwarding bridge (and possibly the rootbridge) in a spanning tree. To modify this field, click Modify.Root Bridge IDThe unique bridge ID of the current root bridge in the spanningtree. The ID is based on its physical address and priority. The rootbridge ID is sometimes referred to as Root ID. This field is read-only.Path Cost to Root BridgeThe calculated distance from the selected bridge to the root bridge,as seen from the selected bridge. The range is 1–65535. During spanningtree configuration, the path cost value is compared to the valuesin incoming Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) configurationmessages from other bridges. It is one of the criteria used by abridge to determine if it needs to reconfigure itself; field is read-only.Spanning Tree Root PortThe port (1 or 2) on the selected bridge with the lowest cost routeto the current root bridge. The port is determined during spanningtree configuration. If the selected bridge is the root bridge, the valueis 0. This field is read-only.Spanning Tree Maximum AgeThe maximum permissible age, in seconds, provided by the currentroot bridge for spanning tree configuration information to remainactive on the selected bridge. When the time-span expires and thebridge has not received any BPDUs, it discards the current spanningtree information and initiates a new round of spanning tree configuration.All bridges in the spanning tree receive this value in a BPDU fromthe root bridge, and they display the value in this field.If the age value is too small, it can cause unnecessary spanning treereconfigurations and possibly a temporary loss of connectivity onthe network. If the value is too large, the network takes longer thannecessary to adjust to a new spanning tree after a bridge goes downor a link is lost, which can cause collisions.The recommended IEEE 802.1d time is 20s (twenty seconds).Spanning Tree Hello TimeThe amount of time, in seconds, provided by the current root bridgebetween transmissions of configuration BPDUs.This timer works in parallel with the Spanning tree hold time,which should be greater than the hello timer. If it is smaller, thespanning tree algorithm responds more quickly to configurationchanges, resulting in increased network traffic.The recommended IEEE 802.1d time is 2s (two seconds).Page 5-5