Solved: how many switch hops are allowed

tato386 · ‎04-17-2008

in a switched network? I have a total of 5 switches which are connectec by crossover cable from one to the next. A packet sent from the first switch to the last will go thru 5 switches to get to its destination. Is this "legal"? What is the max amount of hops in this situation?

Thanks,

Diego

Istvan_Rabai · ‎04-17-2008

Hi Diego,

Cisco recommends no more than 7 switch hops so the spanning-tree algorithm has enough time to converge.

You know some time is needed for the BPDU's to be propagated accross the network.

The spanning-tree default timers are set for 7 hops:

max-age time: 20 sec

forward delay time: 15 sec

hello time: 2 sec

Cheers:

Istvan

View solution in original post

Jon Marshall · ‎04-17-2008

Diego

There is no "legal" limit as such. But the recommended maximum diameter ie. how many hops you should have is 7.

Jon

View solution in original post

Istvan_Rabai · ‎04-17-2008

Hi Diego,

Cisco recommends no more than 7 switch hops so the spanning-tree algorithm has enough time to converge.

You know some time is needed for the BPDU's to be propagated accross the network.

The spanning-tree default timers are set for 7 hops:

max-age time: 20 sec

forward delay time: 15 sec

hello time: 2 sec

Cheers:

Istvan

Jon Marshall · ‎04-17-2008

Diego

There is no "legal" limit as such. But the recommended maximum diameter ie. how many hops you should have is 7.

Jon