User guide

Advanced Configuration AP-700 User Guide
Bridge
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Bridge
The AP is a bridge between your wired and wireless networking devices. As a bridge, the functions performed by the AP
include:
• MAC address learning
• Forward and filtering decision making
• Spanning Tree protocol used for loop avoidance
Once the AP is connected to your network, it learns which devices are connected to it and records their MAC addresses
in the Learn Table. The table can hold up to 10,000 entries. To view the Learn Table, click on the Monitor button in the
web interface and select the Learn Table tab.
The Bridge tab has four sub-tabs:
• Spanning Tree
• Intra BSS
• Packet Forwarding
Spanning Tree
A Spanning Tree is used to avoid redundant communication loops in networks with multiple bridging devices. Bridges do
not have any inherent mechanism to avoid loops, because having redundant systems is a necessity in certain networks.
However, redundant systems can cause Broadcast Storms, multiple frame copies, and MAC address table instability
problems.
Complex network structures can create multiple loops within a network. The Spanning Tree configuration blocks certain
ports on AP devices to control the path of communication within the network, avoiding loops and following a spanning
tree structure.
For more information on Spanning Tree protocol, please see Section 8.0 of the IEEE 802.1d standard. The Spanning
Tree configuration options are advanced settings. Proxim recommends that you leave these parameters at their default
values unless you are familiar with the Spanning Tree protocol.
NOTE: Spanning Tree protocol is disabled by default. When WDS is enabled, Spanning Tree protocol is automatically
enabled. It may be manually disabled. If Spanning Tree protocol is enabled by WDS and WDS is subsequently
disabled, Spanning tree will remain enabled until it is manually disabled.