
December 2003
29
M9999-120403
KS8995M
Micrel
Learning state: only packets to and from the processor are forwarded. Learning is enabled.
Port setting: “transmit enable = 0, receive enable = 0, learning disable = 0”
Software action: The processor should program the static MAC table with the entries that it needs to receive (e.g. BPDU
packets). The “overriding” bit should be set so that the switch will forward those specific packets to the processor. The processor
may send packets to the port(s) in this state, see
“Special Tagging Mode” section for details. Address learning is enabled on
the port in this state.
Forwarding state: packets are forwarded and received normally. Learning is enabled.
Port setting: “transmit enable = 1, receive enable = 1, learning disable = 0”
Software action: The processor should program the static MAC table with the entries that it needs to receive (e.g. BPDU
packets). The “overriding” bit should be set so that the switch will forward those specific packets to the processor. The processor
may send packets to the port(s) in this state, see
“Special Tagging Mode” section for details. Address learning is enabled on
the port in this state.
Special Tagging Mode
The special tagging mode is designed for spanning tree protocol IGMP snooping and is flexible for use in other applications.
The special tagging mode, similar to 802.1q, requires software to change network drivers to insert/modify/strip/interpret the
special tag. This mode is enabled by setting both register 11 bit 0 and register 80-bit 2.
802.1q Tag Format
Special Tag Format
TPID (tag protocol identifier, 0x8100) + TCI
STPID (special tag identifier, 0x8100) + TCI 0x810 + 4 bit for “port mask”) + TCI
Table 4. Special Tagging Mode Format
The STPID will only be seen and used on the port 5 interface, which should be connected to a processor. Packets from the
processor to the switch should be tagged with STPID and the port mask defined as below:
“0001” packet to port 1 only
“0010” packet to port 2 only
“0100” packet to port 3 only
“1000” packet to port 4 only
“0011” packet broadcast to port 1 and port 2.
.....
“1111” packet broadcast to port 1, 2, 3 and 4.
“0000” normal tag, will use KS8995M internal look-up result. Normal packets should use this setting. If packets from the
processors do not have a tag, the KS8995M will treat them as normal packets and an internal look-up will be performed.
The KS8995M uses a non-zero “port mask” to bypass the look-up result and override any port setting, regardless of port states
(blocking, disable, listening, learning). The Table 5 shows the egress rules when dealing with STPID.