Dell PowerConnect 7048P User Manual - Page 636

Root Guard Enabling root guard on a port ensures that the port does not become a root port or a blocked port. When a switch is elected as the root bridge, all ports are designated ports unless two or more ports of the root bridge are connected together. If the switch receives superior STP BPDUs on a root-guard enabled port, the root guard feature moves this port to a root-inconsistent STP state, which is effectively equal to a listening state. No traffic is forwarded across this port. In this way, the root guard feature enforces the position of the root bridge. When the STP mode is MSTP, the port may be a designated port in one MSTI and an alternate port in the CIST, etc. Root guard is a per port (not a per port per instance command) configuration, so all the MSTP instances this port participates in should not be in a root role. Loop Guard Loop guard protects a network from forwarding loops induced by BPDU packet loss. The reasons for failing to receive packets are numerous, including heavy traffic, software problems, incorrect configuration, and unidirectional link failure. When a non-designated port no longer receives BPDUs, the spanning-tree algorithm considers that this link is loop free and begins transitioning the link from blocking to forwarding. Once in forwarding state, the link may create a loop in the network. Enabling loop guard prevents such accidental loops. When a port is no longer receiving BPDUs and the max age timer expires, the port is moved to a loopinconsistent blocking state. In the loop-inconsistent blocking state, traffic is not forwarded so the port behaves as if it is in the blocking state. The port will remain in this state until it receives a BPDU. It will then transition through the normal spanning tree states based on the information in the received BPDU. NOTE: Loop Guard should be configured only on non-designated ports. These include ports in alternate or backup roles. Root ports and designated ports should not have loop guard enabled so that they can forward traffic. 636 Configuring the Spanning Tree Protocol