Spanning-tree Protocol implementation

Hello

Linux kernel has its own implementation of the spanning tree, it comes along
with the bridge functionallity. Many Layer2 switch vendors ship their SDK
(full sources, inlcuding Linux kernel), implementing VLAN, ACL etc.
functions as well as STP.

What is the point of doing this? Is Linux's STP implementation not entirely
802.1d compliant, or not scalable? Or is it a specifics of the Linux'
networking stack architecture?
Thanks.

--
Mark

David Schwartz wrote:
> Their STP implementation has to hook in with their hardware
> acceleration. The Linux STP implementation is designed to bridge
> network interfaces. A typical switch STP implementation bridges switch
> ports which normally don't present as network interfaces to the OS.
>
[skip]
Thanks, it sounds as a clear and straighforward explanation. I think the
same reasons apply to vendor-implemented VLAN functionality vs. kernel
native VLAN.

--
Mark