Knowledgebase

Issue:

Networks utilizing Perle Media Converters and Industrial Switches need to track the network connections. Network switching products do not resolve when there is more than one layer 2 path to the same endpoint.

Cause:
a link fails to come up or is being dropped

Solution:

Networks utilizing Perle Media Converters and Industrial Switches need to track the network connections. Network switching products do not resolve when there is more than one layer 2 path to the same endpoint. This causes a switching loop to occur which can produce broadcast storms that then flood the network. Spanning Tree Protocol may be implemented when multiple switches are interconnected to control, detect and prevent looping.

If a link fails to come up or is being dropped it could be caused by the switch detecting a loop error and closing that ethernet port down (it may also cause the entire switch to freeze).

If multiple ports on our Media Converter or Industrial Switch are connected to the same switch then a looping will occur. Even interconnecting two switches with a Media Converter may cause a loop if there is already another layer 2 connection between the two.

Most managed switches will have some sort of log that will list any errors that occured on a port.