Scope
This article outlines some considerations when altering the settings on a Powerstation's onboard switch, especially within a network environment using Spanning Tree Protocol and an external IGMP querier.
Telos' recommendation is to set the Powerstation gigabit switchports to "Trunk" whenever connecting to another switch. This article outlines some details about the port behavior and cautions against changing them.
Description
The networking functionality of the Powerstation is basic and offers little configurability. This is by design, as the essential networking requirements for Livewire are pre-programmed into its onboard switch.
However, there are 2 important functions on the switch that can be altered by a user:
Switchport assignment (Trunk, Access)
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) participation and root bridge priority.
NETWORK ENGINEERS: THIS IS FOR YOU
"Trunk port" and "access port" are common terms for network engineers, but they implement with slight differences on a Powerstation when compared to a Cisco switch, and setting them improperly can lead to widespread network problems, especially within larger Axia plants.
Port Behavior
"Trunk" and "Access" ports on a Powerstation function similarly to the Trunk and Access ports of a Cisco switch, but there are a few key differences. Misunderstanding this can lead to network problems (i.e.: network flooding, audio garble, etc.)
Term | Cisco | Powerstation |
Trunk port | - Carries multiple VLANs - Encapsulates frames using 802.1Q and ISL - Carries voice vlan frames - Switch participates in IGMP querier election - Switch participates in STP | - Carries one VLAN (frames not tagged with VLAN) - Encapsulates frames using 802.1Q - Carries voice vlan frames - Switch participates in IGMP querier election - Switch participates in STP |
Access port | - Port assigned for endpoint devices - Switch participates in IGMP querier election - Switch participates in STP | - Port assigned for endpoint devices - Switch does NOT participate IGMP querier election - Switch becomes IGMP querier by default - Switch participates in STP |
Spanning Tree Protocol is a function on most switches that (1) creates redundancy within a network and (2) defeats network loops (i.e.: unintentionally plugging a switch back into itself). You can learn more about STP here if you'd like.
Additionally, IGMP (Internet Group Multicast Protocol; multicast) is a function by which RTP audio streams can be distributed more efficiently through a network. In order for IGMP to work, it has to have a device that is elected as the "querier," which is the
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Requirements, Steps, Etc.
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