One exemplary embodiment is directed to a system comprising a switch used in a network and a central function configured to receive physical layer information related to the network. The physical layer information includes information associating media access control (MAC) addresses of devices on the network with ports of the switch. The switch is configured to use information about a spanning tree determined by the central function to configure the switch to carry out a switching function performed by the switch. The central function is configured to use at least some physical layer information about patching equipment in the network and end devices in the network in associating MAC addresses of devices on the network with the ports of the switch. Other embodiments are disclosed.