Understanding and Configuring the Unidirectional
Link Detection Protocol Feature
Document ID: 10591
Introduction
Prerequisites
Requirements
Components Used
Conventions
Problem Definition
How Unidirectional Link Detection Protocol Works
UDLD Modes of Operation
Availability
Configuration and Monitoring
Related Information
Introduction
This document explains how the Unidirectional Link Detection (UDLD) protocol can help to prevent
forwarding loops and blackholing of traffic in switched networks.
Prerequisites
Requirements
There are no specific requirements for this document.
Components Used
This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.
Conventions
Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.
Problem Definition
Spanning−Tree Protocol (STP) resolves redundant physical topology into a loop−free, tree−like forwarding
topology.
This is done by blocking one or more ports. By blocking one or more ports, there are no loops in the
forwarding topology. STP relies in its operation on reception and transmission of the Bridge Protocol Data
Units (BPDUs). If the STP process that runs on the switch with a blocking port stops receiving BPDUs from
its upstream (designated) switch on the port, STP eventually ages out the STP information for the port and
moves it to the forwarding state. This creates a forwarding loop or STP loop.
Packets start to cycle indefinitely along the looped path, and consumes more and more bandwidth. This leads
to a possible network outage.