It sounds like the problem may be with clients pulling IP addresses from your DHCP server, since the static-assigned systems work without problem. This would likely be due to the Spanning-Tree Protocol(STP) running by default on the switch (this is usually on by default on managed switches, to prevent broadcast storms due to a loop in the switch fabric).
If you have loops in the network switch fabric, you probably want to leave STP enabled globally on the switch. You can then use the 'Edge Port' feature under Spanning Tree > Port Settings to have ports going to client systems bypass the STP process. This should allow them to pull their IP addresses correctly.
If (and ONLY IF) you don't have any redundant loops in your switch fabric, then STP is mainly overhead. You should be able to disable it from Spanning Tree > Global Settings. You might need to reboot the client systems that have been having problems (or issue an appropriate command to try to renew the DHCP assigned address) for you to see a change.
It is very important, if you choose to disable STP globally on the 5212, that you ensure you have no loops in your switch fabric. If STP is disabled globally on the switch, and a loop exists, you could create a broadcast storm that has the potential to render the network inoperable.
Message Edited by DELL-AndrewH on 01-19-2004 11:47 AM
I think I might have found our problem. There was an IP conflict between the new switch and another device on the network. It's changed now and we're waiting to see if the problem is eradicated. Would such behaviour be probable if there were duplicate IPs?
Andrew_Hicks1
2 Intern
•
169 Posts
0
January 19th, 2004 15:00
It sounds like the problem may be with clients pulling IP addresses from your DHCP server, since the static-assigned systems work without problem. This would likely be due to the Spanning-Tree Protocol(STP) running by default on the switch (this is usually on by default on managed switches, to prevent broadcast storms due to a loop in the switch fabric).
If you have loops in the network switch fabric, you probably want to leave STP enabled globally on the switch. You can then use the 'Edge Port' feature under Spanning Tree > Port Settings to have ports going to client systems bypass the STP process. This should allow them to pull their IP addresses correctly.
If (and ONLY IF) you don't have any redundant loops in your switch fabric, then STP is mainly overhead. You should be able to disable it from Spanning Tree > Global Settings. You might need to reboot the client systems that have been having problems (or issue an appropriate command to try to renew the DHCP assigned address) for you to see a change.
It is very important, if you choose to disable STP globally on the 5212, that you ensure you have no loops in your switch fabric. If STP is disabled globally on the switch, and a loop exists, you could create a broadcast storm that has the potential to render the network inoperable.
Message Edited by DELL-AndrewH on 01-19-2004 11:47 AM
roberte_ie
2 Posts
0
January 20th, 2004 12:00
Robert.