Quick Reference Guide

PowerConnect B-Series TI24X Configuration Guide 197

53-1002269-02

Metro Ring Protocol (MRP)

Metro Ring Protocol (MRP) was introduced in two phases:

• MRP Phase 1 is supported in all PowerConnect B-Series TI24X devices. Refer to “MRP rings

without shared interfaces (MRP Phase 1)” on page 199.

• MRP Phase 2 is supported in PowerConnect B-Series TI24X devices. Refer to “MRP rings with

shared interfaces (MRP Phase 2)” on page 200.

MRP protocol prevents Layer 2 loops and provides fast reconvergence in Layer 2 ring topologies. It

is an alternative to STP and is especially useful in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) where using

STP has the following drawbacks:

• STP allows a maximum of seven nodes. Metro rings can easily contain more nodes than this.

• STP has a slow reconvergence time, taking many seconds or even minutes. MRP can detect

and heal a break in the ring in sub-second time.