root bridge

communications, hardware, networking A bridge which

continuously transmits network topology information to

other bridges, using the spanning tree protocol, in order to

notify all other bridges on the network when topology changes

are required.

This means that a network is able to reconfigure itself

whenever a network link (e.g. another bridge) fails, so an

alternative path can be found. The presence of a root

bridge also prevents loops from forming in the network.

The root bridge is where the paths that frames take through

the network they are assigned. It should be located centrally

on the network to provide the shortest path to other links on

the network. Unlike other bridges, the root bridge always

forwards frames out over all of its ports.

Every network should only have one root bridge. It should

have the lowest bridge ID number.

(2000-11-26)