Configuring Catalyst Switch Operations

Identifying Problems That Occur in Redundant Switched Topologies

2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Outline

Overview

Redundant Switched and Bridged Topologies

Broadcast Storms Multiple Frame Transmissions

MAC Database Instability

Summary

2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Redundant Topology

Redundant topology eliminates single points of failure.

Redundant topology causes broadcast storms, multiple frame copies, and MAC address table instability problems.
2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. ICND v2.21-3

Broadcast Storms

Host X sends a broadcast. Switches continue to propagate broadcast traffic over and over.
2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. ICND v2.21-4

Multiple Frame Copies

Host X sends a unicast frame to router Y. The MAC address of router Y has not been learned by either switch. Router Y will receive two copies of the same frame.
2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. ICND v2.21-5

MAC Database Instability

Host X sends a unicast frame to router Y. The MAC address of router Y has not been learned by either switch. Switches A and B learn the MAC address of host X on port 0. The frame to router Y is flooded. Switches A and B incorrectly learn the MAC address of host X on port 1.
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2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Summary
Bridged and switched networks are commonly designed with redundant links and devices, which can introduce problems, such as broadcast storms, multiple frame transmission, and MAC database instability.

A broadcast storm is created when each switch on a redundant network floods broadcast frames endlessly.
Multiple frame transmissions occur when multiple copies of the same frame arrive at the intended host, potentially causing problems with the receiving protocol. MAC database instability occurs when multiple copies of a frame arrive on different ports of a switch.

2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

ICND v2.21-7

Module Summary
LAN switches and bridges have the ability to listen to traffic and make intelligent forwarding decisions at Layer 2. Most complex networks include redundant devices to avoid single points of failure. Although a redundant topology eliminates some problems, it can introduce others. STP provides path redundancy while preventing undesirable loops in switched or bridged networks. A Cisco Catalyst switch comes with factory default settings, which set up the switch to function as a transparent bridge.

2004 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

ICND v2.21-8