5-4CHAPTER 5: TRANSPARENT BRIDGING
Packet A bridge either Ţlters, �oods, or forwards packets by comparing the packetOs
Forwarding destination address to the addresses in the bridgeOs address table, and by
comparing the destination bridge port (if known) to the port on which
the packet was received. This process is described and shown in
Figure 5-2.
The bridge compares the destination address to the addresses in the
address table and does one of the following:
nIf the destination address is known to the bridge, then the bridge identiŢes
the port on which the destination address is located.
nIf the destination bridge port is different from the bridge port on which
the packet was received, then the packet is forwarded to the destination
bridge port.
nIf the destination bridge port is the same as the port on which the
packet was received, then the packet is Ţltered (discarded) by the
bridge.
nIf the destination address is not known to the bridge, the packet is forwarded
to all active bridge ports other than the bridge port on which the packet
was received. This process is called �ooding. For a port to be active, it must
be enabled and in the forwarding state. See the section OSpanning Tree Port
States� on page 5-16 for more information about states. |