Configuring the Polling Timers and Timeout Action

The polling timers provide an alternate way to detect ring breaks. In a ring that uses only Extreme Networks switches, the master switch learns about a ring break by receiving a link-down PDU. When the ring uses only Extreme networks switches, the polling timers are not needed and can remain configured for the default values.

In a ring that contains switches made by other companies, the polling timers provide an alternate way to detect ring breaks. The master periodically sends hello PDUs at intervals determined by the hello PDU timer and waits for a reply. If a hello PDU reply is not received before the failtime timer expires, the switch detects a failure and responds by either sending an alert or opening the secondary port. The response action is defined by a configuration command.