IEEE 802.1w:2001

Amendment Standard - Superseded.
Superseded by IEEE Std 802.1D-2004 This IEEE Standards product is part of the 802 family on LAN/MAN. This amendment to IEEE Std 802.1D, 1998 Edition (ISO/IEC 15802-3: 1998) and IEEE Std 802.1t-2001 defines the changes necessary to the operation of a MAC Bridge in order to provide rapid Spanning Tree reconfiguration capability.

Specificatoin of enhancements to the auto-configuring mechanisms and management controls in 802.1D-1998 that constrain user data frames to all or part of a loop free topology. Where redundant alternate bridges and/or connecting LANs are available, these enhancements will provide faster reconfiguration and restoration of the MAC service if LAN component failure occurs.
LAN based applications, including new voice and multi-media solutions, are increasingly mission critical and require much improved network availability and scalability. An availability strategy that includes redundant bridges and LAN media, together with rapid failure detection and reconfiguration, allows the use of currently available cost effective LAN components. Techniques that are broadly compatible with 802.1D-1998, but not interoperable, are now emerging from multiple vendors. The proposed project will provide users with interoperable solutions.