1-4Load sharing mechanismA ring network may carry traffic of multiple VLANs. Smart link can forward traffic of different VLANs indifferent smart link groups, thus implementing load sharing.To implement load sharing, you can assign a port to multiple smart link groups (each configured withdifferent protected VLANs), making sure that the state of the port is different in these smart link groups.In this way, traffic of different VLANs can be forwarded along different paths.You can configure protected VLANs for a smart link group by referencing MSTIs.Smart Link Configuration Task ListComplete the following tasks to configure Smart Link:Task RemarksConfiguring Protected VLANs for a Smart Link Group RequiredConfiguring Member Ports for a Smart Link Group RequiredConfiguring Role Preemption for a Smart Link Group OptionalConfiguring a SmartLink DeviceEnabling the Sending of Flush Messages OptionalConfiguring anAssociated Device Enabling the Receiving of Flush Messages Requiredz A smart link device is a device that supports Smart Link and is configured with a smart link groupand a transmit control VLAN for flush message transmission. Device C and Device D in Figure 1-1are two examples of smart link devices.z An associated device is a device that supports Smart Link, and receives flush messages sent fromthe specified control VLAN. Device A, Device B, and Device E in Figure 1-1 are examples ofassociated devices.Configuring a Smart Link DeviceConfiguration Prerequisitesz Before configuring a port as a smart link group member, shut down the port to prevent loops. Youcan bring up the port only after completing the smart link group configuration.z Disable STP and RRPP on the ports you want to add to the smart link group, and make sure thatthe ports are not member ports of any aggregation group.A loop may occur on the network during the time when STP is disabled but Smart Link has not yettaken effect on a port.
