1-4
z
The MAC address aging timer only takes effect on dynamic MAC address entries.
z
With the “destination MAC address triggered update function” enabled, when a switch finds a
packet with a destination address matching one MAC address entry within the aging time, it
updates the entry and restarts the aging timer.
Entries in a MAC address table
Entries in a MAC address table fall into the following categories according to their characteristics and
configuration methods:
z
Static MAC address entry: Also known as permanent MAC address entry. This type of MAC
address entries are added/removed manually by the network operator and cannot age out by
themselves. Using static MAC address entries can greatly reduce broadcast packets and are
suitable for networks where network devices seldom change.
z
Dynamic MAC address entry: This type of MAC address entries age out after the configured aging
time. They are generated by the MAC address learning mechanism or configured manually.
z
Blackhole MAC address entry: This type of MAC address entries are configured manually. A switch
discards the packets destined for or originated from the MAC addresses contained in blackhole
MAC address entries. Blackhole entries are configured for filtering out frames with specific source
or destination MAC addresses.
Table 1-1
lists the different types of MAC address entries and their characteristics.
Table 1-1
Characteristics of different types of MAC address entries
MAC address
entry
Configuration method
Aging
time
Preserved or not at reboot
(if the configuration is
saved)
Static MAC
address entry
Manually configured
Unavaila
ble
Yes
Dynamic MAC
address entry
Manually configured or
generated by MAC address
learning mechanism
Available
No
Blackhole MAC
address entry
Manually configured
Unavaila
ble
Yes
MAC Address Table Management
MAC Address Table Management Configuration Task List
Complete the following tasks to configure MAC address table management:
Task
Remarks
Configuring a MAC Address Entry
Required
Setting the MAC Address Aging Timer
Optional
Setting the Maximum Number of MAC Addresses a Port Can Learn
Optional