Configuring Port Settings

When port settings have been specified for an interface, the Port Settings table on the Switching > Rapid Spanning Tree page contains a row for that interface. A Configure icon is enabled for it unless Link Aggregation is enabled for the interface.

To configure the Port Settings on the Switching > Rapid Spanning Tree page, complete the following steps:

1	Under Port Settings, click the Configure icon in the row for the interface you want to edit.

2	In the Edit RSTP Settings window, select Enable RSTP to enable Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol for this interface. Clear the check box to disable RSTP on this interface.

 

3

To specify the path cost for the port, type the desired cost value (1-20000000) into the Port Path Cost field. If left in auto-mode, the port cost will be 200000. You can also assign an arbitrary cost value or base the cost on guidelines provided by the RSTP or STP specification. The cost is higher for lower bandwidth connections. According to some guidelines, the cost of a 1Gbps bandwidth connection would be 2, compared to the cost of 100 for a 10Mbps connection.

4

To specify the port priority, type the desired priority (0-15) into the Port Priority field. Your input is automatically multiplied by 16 when the settings are applied. A lower number indicates higher priority. Port priority is important when multiple ports are connected to the same switch and there is a possible loop. The port with the lower priority is blocked.