Compex Technologies WPE54 User Manual

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Chapter 5 
Further Configuration 
 
 
72 
To establish path redundancy, STP creates a tree that spans all of the switches in an 
extended network, forcing redundant paths into a standby, or blocked, state. but 
establishes the redundant links as a backup if the initial link should fail. If STP costs 
change, or if one network segment in the STP becomes unreachable, the spanning tree 
algorithm reconfigures the spanning tree topology and re-establishes the link by 
activating the standby path. Without spanning tree in place, it is possible that both 
connections may be simultaneously live, which could result in an endless loop of traffic 
on the LAN. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spanning-Tree Protocol operation is transparent to end stations, which are unaware 
whether they are connected to a single LAN segment or a switched LAN of multiple 
segments.