so the final goal here is that IMC generates an alert if there is a loop on the network or if an edge port has been blocked due to end user patching both ends of the same cable into a switch.
edited:
And Lindsay I've just found your write up on loop protection without STP, it seems that loop protect would be a good solution as thsoe loops are mainly created by the above mentioned users.
There is a "but" though. I'm just trying this on HP A3600, Comware Software, Version 5.20.99,
It seems that loop protection needs STP to be enabeld, see below
[HP-if-range]stp loop-protection ?
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and loopback-detection will not detect a cable run from one port to another on the same switch as you have also mentioned, so after all I will be forced to use STP?
http://lkhill.com/loop-detection-without-stp/