Bridged Network Ring

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Bridged networks can be formed into rings that physically connect several bridges together. The following figure shows a bridged network ring configuration.

Figure 4-3 Bridged Network Ring

image:Diagram showing how the STP or TRILL protocols prevent loops by eliminating one connection in a bridge ring.

The figure shows a bridged network that is configured in a ring. The configuration shows three bridges. Two systems are physically connected to the westminister bridge. One system is physically connected to the waterloo bridge and one system is physically connected to the tower bridge. The bridges are physically connected to each other through the bridge ports.

This type of configuration can cause problems with old packets saturating the network links by endlessly looping around the ring. To protect against such looping conditions, Oracle Solaris bridges implement both the STP and TRILL protocols. Note that most hardware bridges also implement STP loop protection.