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Ethernet switches that do not have loop detection

Posted on 4/27/24 at 8:48 pm
Posted by Miketheseventh
Member since Dec 2017
5764 posts
Posted on 4/27/24 at 8:48 pm
I’m just curious. I was looking at cheap unmanaged Ethernet switches and some of them say No loop end. I had never heard of that. It seems to me (if I understand this correctly) that if a switch does support this the data lights on the switch would blink a different color indicating that cable is in a loop. For people that don’t know what a loop end is. It lets you know that both ends of a particular Ethernet cable are both connected to the switch. If that is not correct, someone please educate me
This post was edited on 4/29/24 at 11:53 am
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
14297 posts
Posted on 4/28/24 at 8:24 am to
I think it's a feature that would be built into the device to prevent this. It's not necessarily the same cable connected but the device on the other end connected to the switch twice which would likely slow things down. Someone with more experience can likely explain better.
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
28709 posts
Posted on 4/28/24 at 8:49 pm to
I'm not a pro but this is the first I've heard the term "loop end". I know that managed switches can use Spanning Tree Protocol and the basic purpose of that is to prevent network overload due to loops. It can also be used to provide redundant/backup links (which would otherwise create a loop).

I guess some unmanaged switches have basic loop prevention but don't go as far as supporting full STP?
Posted by Miketheseventh
Member since Dec 2017
5764 posts
Posted on 4/29/24 at 11:49 am to
quote:

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Posted by Miketheseventh
Member since Dec 2017
5764 posts
Posted on 4/29/24 at 11:52 am to
I changed the title. It is called loop detection not loop end. I was just curious if this is a make or break deal for the ones that do not have it
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
28709 posts
Posted on 4/29/24 at 12:20 pm to
In a home or small office setting it's hardly a concern. STP or any sort of loop detection is only needed if there is a chance of accidentally (or purposely) creating a loop. It's more of an enterprise feature to solve an enterprise problem,
Posted by LSURep864
Moscow, Idaho
Member since Nov 2007
10910 posts
Posted on 4/30/24 at 1:54 pm to
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
18005 posts
Posted on 4/30/24 at 2:32 pm to
quote:


I changed the title. It is called loop detection not loop end. I was just curious if this is a make or break deal for the ones that do not have it


The only potential issue in home use is with multiple wireless access points/mesh systems. Some of those systems can be communicating briefly over both a wireless and a wired backhaul. This can appear as a loop in a network. If there is loop detection protection in a network switch, it can prevent the wireless network from operating properly.

For home use the safe choice is not to have loop detection but if you do have it, make sure it is possible to disable it should you need to.
This post was edited on 4/30/24 at 2:33 pm
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