Table of Contents

Catalyst 5000 Documentation
Amendments to the Documentation

RMON Support
Configuring the Port Priority
Adding or Changing TrBRF Parameters
Adding or Changing TrBRF Parameters
Monitoring Network Traffic

Configuring SPAN
Enabling and Disabling SPAN
Verifying the SPAN Configuration

Displaying Token Ring Statistics, Status, and Station Information

show station controltable
show station ordertable

Configuring Filters
Fixing a Corrupted Flash

Problems Fixed in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)
Known Problems in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)
Availability of Catalyst 5000 Software Upgrades on CCO
Obtaining Service and Support
Cisco Connection Online
Ordering Documentation

Catalyst 5000 Series Token Ring Software Release  3.2(4) Release Note

February 19, 1998

This document describes the Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring software release 3.2(4), including a list of problems fixed in this release and a list of known (open) problems for this release. This document is available on the Cisco Connection Documentation CD-ROM or in print.

Sections in this document include the following:

• Catalyst 5000 Documentation

• Amendments to the Documentation

• Problems Fixed in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)

• Known Problems in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)

• Availability of Catalyst 5000 Software Upgrades on CCO

• Obtaining Service and Support

• Cisco Connection Online

• Ordering Documentation

Catalyst 5000 Documentation

The following documents are available for the Catalyst 5000 series switch:

• Catalyst 5000 Series Quick Software Configuration

• Catalyst 5000 Series Installation Guide

• Catalyst 5000 Series Module Installation Guide

• Catalyst 5000 Series Software Configuration Guide

• Catalyst 5000 Series Switch Message and Recovery Guide

• Catalyst 5000 Series Release Notes

For quick software configuration procedures for the Catalyst 5000 series switches, refer to the Catalyst 5000 Series Quick Software Configuration publication. For detailed software configuration information and procedures, refer to the Catalyst 5000 Series Software Configuration Guide.

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package, which ships with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM, a member of the Cisco Connection Family, is updated monthly. Therefore, it might be more current than printed documentation. To order additional copies of the Documentation CD-ROM, contact your local sales representative or call customer service. The CD-ROM package is available as a single package or as an annual subscription. You can also access Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at http://www.cisco.com, http://www-china.cisco.com, or http://www-europe.cisco.com.

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Amendments to the Documentation

This section contains information that was not included in the configuration note that was shipped with the Token Ring module.

RMON Support

The descriptions of the Token Ring ring station control table and Token Ring ring station order table are incorrect. The descriptions should read as follows:

• Token Ring ring station control table

The Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring module supports the ringStationControlTable portion of the Token Ring Ring Station Group. This support allows a Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring module to gather segment information from each ring segment to which it is attached. This segment information includes includes Ring State, Beacon Sender, Beacon NAUN, and Active Monitor MAC Address, as well as Station Order Changes.

• Token Ring ring station order table

An ordered list of the stations on the monitored rings.

Configuring the Port Priority

The Catalyst 5000 Series Token Ring Module Configuration Note documents that the possible priority range for physical and logical ports is 0 through 255 (decimal) and that the default is 128.

While this information is correct for the physical Token Ring ports, it is incorrect for the logical ports (the connection between the Token Ring Bridge Relay Function [TrBRF] and Token Ring Concentrator Relay Function [TrCRF]). The valid priority range for the logical Token Ring ports is 0 through 7. The default is 4.

Adding or Changing TrBRF Parameters

The Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring software release 3.2(1) and later supports MTUs of up to 17800 bytes. The initial release of the Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring software did not support MTUs greater than 4472. Release 3.2(1) and later supports MTUs of up to 17800.

When configuring larger MTUs for the ports or TrBRFs on a Token Ring module, remember the following:

• You cannot configure a port MTU that is greater than the MTU configured for the TrBRF to which the port belongs.

• You cannot configure an LAN Emulation Client (LEC) MTU that is greater than the MTU configured for the TrBRF to which the LEC belongs.

If you reduce the MTU for a TrBRF to a value that is less than the MTU currently configured for the individual ports or LECs in the TrBRF, the MTU for the ports or LECs is automatically reduced to a value (1500, 4472, 8144, or 17800) that is less than that specified for the TrBRF.

Adding or Changing TrBRF Parameters

The Catalyst 5000 series NMP software release 4.2 supports an additional set vlan command parameter, decring. The decring keyword enables you to specify a decimal logical ring number for TrCRFs. Previous releases of the NMP software allowed only hexadecimal ring numbers to be specified.

The syntax description for the decring keyword is as follows:

decring decimal_ring_number

(Optional) Keyword to specify the logical ring number for Token Ring VLANs. Possible values are decimal numbers 1 to 4095. For Token Ring VLANs, this parameter is valid and required only when defining a TrCRF.

Monitoring Network Traffic

To aid in network management, the Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring module allows you to configure a Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) port for monitoring port traffic. This SPAN support allows you to perform active monitoring on any of the Token Ring ports or TrCRFs. Active port monitoring allows you to copy the traffic being switched by a source port (Token Ring port or TrCRF) to a Token Ring destination port located in the same switch. Only the logical link control (LLC) traffic that is being switched by the source port is monitored when you configure active port monitoring. The MAC frames are not monitored.

When configuring SPAN, you can configure for a single source, multiple source ports, or you can configure a TrCRF as a source port. However, when configuring SPAN, keep in mind the following:

• If the SPAN destination port is a Token Ring port, then the source port or ports must be Token Ring ports.

• If the SPAN destination port is a Token Ring port, then the source VLAN must be a TrCRF.

• If you are configuring a SPAN port to monitor information transmitted from a source port, you can configure only a single source port.

• Any interaction between two endstations on a shared segment that is attached to a switch port configured as a SPAN source port will not be monitored at the destination SPAN port.

Configuring SPAN

To configure a SPAN port, issue the following command in privileged mode, specifying the source port (only one source port if you are configuring the SPAN port to monitor information transmitted from a source port), the destination port, and the direction of traffic that you want to monitor that is being switched on the source port.

After entering the set span command and specifying a source port and destination port, you see a display similar to the following:

Console> (enable) set span 3/2 4/6 tx
Enabled monitoring of Port 3/2 transmit traffic by Port 4/6
Console> (enable)
 

Enabling and Disabling SPAN

After configuring a SPAN port, ensure that SPAN has been enabled on the switch. If SPAN is not enabled on the switch, you can enable it using the set span command.

To enable SPAN, issue the following command while in privileged mode:

To disable SPAN, issue the following command while in privileged mode:

Verifying the SPAN Configuration

To verify the SPAN configuration, issue the following command:

After entering the show span command, you see a display similar to the following:

Console> (enable) show span
Status      : enabled
Admin Source: Port 3/2
Oper Source : Port 3/2
Destination : Port 4/6
Direction   : transmit
Console> (enable)
 

Table 1 describes the information returned by the show span command.

Displaying Token Ring Statistics, Status, and Station Information

You can use the following commands to view statistics and status information associated with Token Ring stations that are located on monitored rings.

show station controltable

Use the show station controltable normal command to display a collection of statistics and status information associated with each Token Ring station on the local ring. In addition, this command provides status information for each ring being monitored.

Syntax Description

Default

This command has no default setting.

Command Type

Switch command

Command Mode

Normal

Example

The following example shows how to display a collection of statistics and status information associated with each Token Ring station on Token Ring module 3:

Console> (enable) show station controltable 3
Port    TableSize          ActiveStation      RingState
-----   -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
 3/1    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/2    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/3    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/4    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/5    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/6    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/7    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/8    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/9    0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/10   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/11   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/12   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/13   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/14   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 3/15   0                  2                  Normal Operation
 3/16   0                  0                  Normal Operation
 
Port    BeaconSender       BeaconNAUN         OrderChanges
-----   -----------------  -----------------  -----------------
 3/1    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/2    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/3    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/4    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/5    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/6    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/7    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/8    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/9    00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/10   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/11   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/12   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/13   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/14   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
 3/15   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  1
 3/16   00:00:00:00:00:00  00:00:00:00:00:00  0
Console> (enable)
 

Table 2 describes the fields shown in the show station controltable command output.

show station ordertable

Use the show station ordertable normal command to display a listing of the order of stations on the monitored rings.

Syntax Description

Default

This command has no default setting.

Command Type

Switch command

Command Mode

Normal

Example

The following example shows how to display:

Console> show station ordertable 3
Port    OrderIndex         Address
-----   ---------------    -----------------
 3/15   1                  00:05:77:05:40:63
        2                  00:00:30:cf:a0:98
Console> 
 

Table 3 describes the fields shown in the show station ordertable command output.

Configuring Filters

With the Catalyst 5000 supervisor engine module software releases 3.2(4) or 4.3(2) image, used with the Catalyst 5000 Token Ring software release 3.2(3) and later, new parameters are supported by the set port filter command. These parameters provide the ability to configure a MAC address filter as both a source or a destination for a specified port.

The new syntax descriptions for configuring MAC address filters using the set port filter command are as follows:

Syntax Description

For more information on the set port filter command, refer to the configuration note that shipped with your Token Ring module.

Fixing a Corrupted Flash

In the event of a corrupted Flash, a Catalyst 5000 series switch can operate in boot mode. However, when the switch is operating in boot mode, a version 3.1 boot ROM is required for the supervisor module to recognize the Token Ring module.

If the Flash becomes corrupted and the supervisor engine module is running a version 3.1 boot ROM, you can download a new image through a Token Ring module while the switch is in boot mode.

If the Flash becomes corrupted and the supervisor engine module is not running a version 3.1 boot ROM, you can download a new Flash image to the switch while in boot mode via either of the following methods:

• Kermit to the console port.

• Through an installed module that is supported by the boot ROM version running on the supervisor engine module.

If you do need to upgrade your boot ROM, please contact the Cisco TAC.

Problems Fixed in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)

The following is a list of problems that have been resolved in this release of the Token Ring software.

Problem Identifier	Problem Description
CSCdk54704	When running the IEEE Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) on a TrBRF, the Catalyst 5000 does not flood the IBM STP BPDUs from other devices. This problem causes other SRB devices that are running IBM STP to not create a spanning tree that prevents single route-explorer frames from traversing the same ring twice.
CSCdk86669	Deleting a TrBRF or TrCRF using the clear vlan command and then reconfiguring the same VLAN using the set vlan command can cause traffic within that VLAN to be incorrectly forwarded.
CSCdk91958	Non-source-route traffic directed to a specific port on the Token Ring module is incorrectly forwarded to other ports within the same TrBRF as the port on which the traffic originated.
CSCdk92389	A reset or power on of either the Catalyst 5000 switch or the Token Ring module can result in consecutive ports on the Token Ring module to be disabled because of diagnostics failure.

Known Problems in Token Ring Software Release 3.2(4)

This section lists the known problems for Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring software release 3.2(4).

Problem: Enabling ISL trunks on a Catalyst 5000 series switch on which a large number of VLANs running STP are configured can cause network instability (CSCdk69087)

Problem Description: Inserting or enabling an ISL trunk link on a Catalyst 5000 series switch on which a large number of VLANs running STP are configured causes a delay in the transmission of BPDUs from that switch (via the TrBRF and the TrCRF) if the switch is the root bridge in any of its defined VLANs. This problem occurs while the ISL trunk link is initializing and processing the spanning tree state on each VLAN.

The effects of this problem vary depending on the network topology, however, effects such as expiration of the message age timers on non-root bridges in the network generally occur. This results in brief periods of network instability. Once the ISL trunk link on the root bridge has finished initializing, the normal transmission of BPDUs resumes and the network stabilizes.

Recommended Action: Using the set spantree command, increase the maximum message age, forward delay, and hello time intervals for the STP on all the affected TrBRFs and TrCRFs to the following recommended values: a maximum message age of 20, a forward delay of 15, and a hello time of 2.

---

Note The above values are the default for the IEEE STP.

---

Problem: The Token Ring module SPAN port feature allows only transmitted traffic to be captured by an attached network sniffer when the port to be monitored is on a different Token Ring module than the monitoring port (CSCdk78241)

Problem Description: The SPAN port feature on the Catalyst 5000 series Token Ring module is currently allowing only transmitted traffic to be captured by an externally attached network sniffer when the port to be monitored is on a different Token Ring module than the monitoring port. Received traffic cannot be captured.

Recommended Action: To view the traffic transmitted to and received from a device on the SPAN port, use a multi-access unit between the Token Ring module and the end device.

Problem: The logical port between a TrCRF and its parent TrBRF is blocked if the STP is disabled on the TrBRF when the Token Ring module is reset after the Catalyst 5000 series switch is reset (CSCdk83458)

Problem Description: The TrCRF spanning tree state converges to blocking if STP is disabled on the TrBRF when the Token Ring module is reset after the Catalyst 5000 series switch is reset. This problem results in frames not being forwarded between TrCRFs. Frame forwarding within the TrCRF is not affected. Hot-inserting the Token Ring module or loading a new Token Ring software image can also cause this problem.

Recommended Action: Reset the switch. This action fixes the problem until the Token Ring module reset or hot-inserted again or a new Token Ring software image has been loaded onto the module after the switch has been reset. However, this problem does not occur if STP is enabled on the TrBRF, therefore, an alternative action is to enable STP on the TrBRF and reset the switch.

Problem: Connectivity problems occurring in redundant ISL networks if Token Ring or ATM links are forwarding instead of an ISL link (CSCdk87396)

Problem Description: In a network in which redundant ISL links are configured, connectivity might not be possible between certain rings if a Token Ring or ATM link is the forwarding path to the root switch instead of an ISL link. This problem can cause the switch on the other end of a blocked ISL link to incorrectly limit all-routes explorer packets to the incoming TrCRF. This results in some stations not being able to communicate with other stations.

Recommended Action: Ensure that the STP path costs are configured such that a Token Ring or an ATM link never has a lower cost to the root bridge than an ISL link in the same switch.

Problem: Infrequent false failures of Token Ring port diagnostics (CSCdk92389)

Problem Description: After a reset or power on of a Catalyst 5000 series switch or Token Ring module, some ports on the Token Ring module might be disabled because of a diagnostics failure. The sequence of the disabled ports will be consecutive (for example, ports 1 through 4, ports 5  through 8, ports 9 through 12, or ports 13 through 16). The orange LED on the ports will blink and the output returned for a show test command issued against the Token Ring module will display a Port Status ASIC status of "F" for the affected sequence of ports.

Recommended Action: Reset or reinsert the Token Ring module.

Availability of Catalyst 5000 Software Upgrades on CCO

When changes are made to the Catalyst 5000 software, the new image is posted to CCO. You can then obtain a copy of the image and download it to your switch.

Obtaining Service and Support

For service and support for a product purchased from a reseller, contact the reseller. Resellers offer a wide variety of Cisco service and support programs, which are described in the section "Service and Support" in the information packet that shipped with your product.

For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use CCO.

Cisco Connection Online

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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CCO provides a wealth of standard and value-added services to Cisco's customers and business partners. CCO services include product information, product documentation, software updates, release notes, technical tips, the Bug Navigator, configuration notes, brochures, descriptions of service offerings, and download access to public and authorized files.

CCO serves a wide variety of users through two interfaces that are updated and enhanced simultaneously: a character-based version and a multimedia version that resides on the World Wide Web (WWW). The character-based CCO supports Zmodem, Kermit, Xmodem, FTP, and Internet e-mail, and it is excellent for quick access to information over lower bandwidths. The WWW version of CCO provides richly formatted documents with photographs, figures, graphics, and video, as well as hyperlinks to related information.

You can access CCO in the following ways:

• WWW:    http://www.cisco.com

• WWW:    http://www-europe.cisco.com

• WWW:    http://www-china.cisco.com

• Telnet:    cco.cisco.com

• Modem:    From North America, 408  526-8070; from Europe, 33  1  64  46  40  82. Use the following terminal settings: VT100 emulation; databits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; and connection rates up to 28.8  kbps.

For a copy of CCO's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), contact cco-help@cisco.com. For additional information, contact cco-team@cisco.com.

Ordering Documentation

Documentation for Cisco products is available in three forms: in a CD-ROM package, printed books, and on the World Wide Web. You have the option of subscribing to the CD ROM package through an update service. Or you can order printed documentation at an additional cost. Refer to the information packet included with the router for detailed ordering information. You can also access Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web URL http://www.cisco.com.

Posted: Thu Feb 18 12:18:21 PST 1999
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