Dell PowerConnect 55xx Systems User Guide 445– Role — Displays the port role assigned by the STP algorithm in orderto provide STP paths. The possible options are:• Root — This port provides the lowest cost path to forward packetsto root switch.• Designated — This port is the interface through which the bridgeis connected to the LAN, which provides the lowest cost pathfrom the LAN to the Root Bridge.• Alternate — This port provides an alternate LAG to the rootswitch from the root interface.• Backup — This port provides a backup path to the designatedport. Backup ports occur only when two ports are connected in aloop by a point-to-point link. Backup ports also occur when a LANhas two or more connections connected to a shared segment.• Disabled — This port is not participating in the Spanning Tree.– Mode — Displays if RSTP is enabled.– Fast Link Operational Status — Displays if Fast Link is enabled ordisabled for the port or LAG. If Fast Link is enabled for an interface,the interface is automatically placed in the forwarding state. Thepossible options are:• Enable — Fast Link is enabled.• Disable — Fast Link is disabled.• Auto — Fast Link mode is enabled a few seconds after theinterface becomes active.– Point-to-Point Admin Status — Select if a point-to-point links isestablished, or permits the device to establish a point-to-point link.The possible options are:• Enable — Enables the device to establish a point-to-point link, orspecifies for the device to automatically establish a point-to-pointlink. To establish communications over a point-to-point link, theoriginating PPP first sends Link Control Protocol (LCP) packetsto configure and test the data link. After a link is established andoptional facilities are negotiated as needed by the LCP, theoriginating PPP sends Network Control Protocols (NCP) packetsto select and configure one or more network layer protocols.When each of the chosen network layer protocols has been
