---
title: "Powerstation: Onboard Switch Settings"
slug: "powerstation-onboard-switch-settings"
updated: 2025-08-22T16:05:43Z
published: 2025-08-22T16:05:43Z
canonical: "docs.telosalliance.com/powerstation-onboard-switch-settings"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.telosalliance.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Powerstation: Onboard Switch Settings

## 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.

> [!WARNING]
> 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:

1. Switchport assignment (Trunk, Access)
2. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) participation and root bridge priority.

> [!CAUTION]
> **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 (optional |
| 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 (optional) |

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](/v1/docs/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-explained) 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. A network switch (usually the most powerful, centrally located switch) performs this IGMP Querier function for the entire subnet. Learn more about IGMP querier [here](/v1/docs/igmp-is-it-ok-to-have-querier-enabled-all-switches).

## Let us know how we can help

If you have further questions on this topic or have ideas about improving this document, please [contact us](https://www.telosalliance.com/support-request).