A special type of broadcast packet is used, which instructs the network bridges to append their bridge number and network segment number to each packet as it is forwarded. Loops are avoided by requiring each bridge to ignore packets which already contain its bridge number in the RIF field.
A specialized transmission packet is utilized, directing network bridges to incorporate their identification numbers into each packet as it traverses the network. To prevent loops, each bridge must ignore packets containing its own identification number within the RIF field.