LevelOne GSW-0891, User Manual

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X-Ring
X-Ring provides a faster redundant recovery than Spanning Tree topology. The action is
similar to STP or RSTP, but the algorithms not the same.
In the X-Ring topology, every switch should enable X-Ring function and assign two
member ports in the ring. Only one switch in the X-Ring group would be set as a master
switch that would be blocked, called backup port, and another port is called working port.
Other switches in the X-Ring group are called working switches and their two member
ports are called working ports. When the failure of network connection occurs, the
backup port will automatically become a working port to recovery the failure.
The switch supports the function and interface for setting the switch as the ring master or
slave mode. The ring master can negotiate and place command to other switches in the
X-Ring group. If there are 2 or more switches in master mode, then software will select
the switch with lowest MAC address number as the ring master. The X-Ring master ring
mode will be enabled by the X-Ring configuration interface. Also, user can identify the
switch as the ring master from the R.M. LED panel of the LED panel on the switch.
The system also supports the coupling ring that can connect 2 or more X-Ring group for
the redundant backup function and dual homing function that prevent connection lose
between X-Ring group and upper level/core switch.
Enable X-Ring: Enable the X-Ring function. Mark the check box to enable the
X-Ring function.
Enable Ring Master: Mark the check box to enable this machine to be the ring
master.
1
st
& 2
nd
Ring Ports: Pull down the selection menu to assign two ports as the
member ports. The 1
st
Ring Port and 2
nd
Ring Port are basically assigned to be
forwarding ports except for the Ring Master switch. With the Ring Master switch,
one of its two Ring Ports is the blocking port and another one is the forwarding port.