This read-write object controls how LNM presents spanning tree groups: aggregate (1) shows all spanning tree groups merged into a single internal management ring, while separate (2) shows each spanning tree group as its own distinct internal management ring. An admin managing a switch with multiple spanning tree groups picks separate to see per-group topology detail in LNM, or aggregate for a simplified single-ring view when that level of detail isn't needed. For example, a network with three independent spanning tree groups would show as three distinct rings in LNM under separate mode, versus one combined ring under aggregate mode.