Technical enhancements to stp (ieee 802.1d) implementation

Abstract

An embodiment includes a method of minimizing the delay in convergence time for a complex STP topology following a topology change in the network system in the spanning tree protocol (STP) standard, including: receiving, by a root port of a first bridge, a data message that includes identification of a current root bridge and a priority value of the current root bridge; receiving, by a second port of the first bridge, a second data message from a second bridge; and if a message age timer of the first bridge has less than a limiting message age time value remaining before expiry, then blocking a reply, by the second port of the first bridge, to the second data message from the second bridge.

1 . A method comprising:
 placing a port in fast span configuration;   if the port receives any bridge protocol unit (BPDU), placing the port in a non-fast-span configuration; and   upon initialization of the port, if the port is in a fast span configuration, shortening a forward delay of the port, wherein the port is placed in a forwarding state upon expiry of the delay.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of placing the port comprises:
 setting a fast span flag in the port if the port is placed in the fast span configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action of shortening the forward delay comprises:
 shortening the forward delay to less than 4 seconds.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of ports; and   one or more engines configured to:
 place a port in fast span configuration; 
 if the port receives any bridge protocol unit (BPDU), place the port in a non-fast-span configuration; and 
 upon initialization of the port, if the port is in a fast span configuration, shorten a forward delay of the port, wherein the port is placed in a forwarding state upon expiry of the delay. 
   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more engines are further configured to set a fast span flag in the port if the port is placed in the fast span configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more engines are further configured to shorten the forward delay by shortening the forward delay to less than 4 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the action of placing the port comprises setting a fast span flag in the port if the port is placed in the fast span configuration; and   the method further comprises, if a BPDU is detected by the port, then in response to the detection, placing the port in a non-fast-span configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more engines are further configured to place the port in a non-fast-span configuration in response to a BPDU being detected by the port, the placing of the port comprising setting a fast span flag in the port. 
     
     
         9 . A machine-readable medium having a program of instructions stored thereon that are executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:
 placing a port in fast span configuration;   if the port receives any bridge protocol unit (BPDU), placing the port in a non-fast-span configuration; and   upon initialization of the port, if the port is in a fast span configuration, shortening a forward delay of the port, wherein the port is placed in a forwarding state upon expiry of the delay.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for placing a port in fast span configuration;   means for, if the port receives any bridge protocol unit (BPDU), placing the port in a non-fast-span configuration; and   means for, upon initialization of the port, if the port is in a fast span configuration, shortening a forward delay of the port, wherein the port is placed in a forwarding state upon expiry of the delay.