STP Configuration

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Configuring STP................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 STP Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 SSTP Configuratiom Task List............................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 SSTP Configuration Task ...................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.1 Selecting STP Mode.................................................................................................................................. 3
1.3.2 Disabling/Enabling STP............................................................................................................................. 3
1.3.3 Configuring the Switch Priority .................................................................................................................. 3
1.3.4 Configuring the Hello Time........................................................................................................................ 3
1.3.5 Configuring the Max-Age Time.................................................................................................................. 4
1.3.6 Configuring the Forward Delay Time......................................................................................................... 4
1.3.7 Configuring the Port Priority ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.3.8 Configuring the Path Cost ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.3.9 Configuring Auto-Designated Port............................................................................................................. 5
1.3.10 Monitoring STP State .............................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 Configuring VLAN STP.......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.2 VLAN STP Configuration Task .................................................................................................................. 5
1.5 RSTP Configuration Task List................................................................................................................................ 6
1.6 RSTP Configuration Task ...................................................................................................................................... 7
1.6.1 Enabling/Disabling Switch RSTP .............................................................................................................. 7
1.6.2 Configuring the Switch Priority .................................................................................................................. 7
1.6.3 Configuring the Forward Delay Time......................................................................................................... 7
1.6.4 Configuring the Hello Time........................................................................................................................ 8
1.6.5 Configuring the Max-Age........................................................................................................................... 8
1.6.6 Configuring the Path Cost ......................................................................................................................... 9
1.6.7 Configuring the Port Priority ...................................................................................................................... 9
1.6.8 Enabling Protocol Conversion Check...................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 2 Configuring MTSP.............................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1 MSTP Overview................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1.2 MST Domain ........................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.3 IST, CST, CIST and MSTI........................................................................................................................ 11
2.1.4 Port Role ................................................................................................................................................. 13
2.1.5 MSTP BPDU ........................................................................................................................................... 16
2.1.6 Stable State............................................................................................................................................. 17
2.1.7 Hop Count ............................................................................................................................................... 18
2.1.8 STP Compatibility.................................................................................................................................... 18
2.2 MSTP Configuration Task List ............................................................................................................................. 18
2.2.1 Activating MST-Compatible Mode ........................................................................................................... 19
2.3 MSTP Configuration Task.................................................................................................................................... 20
2.3.1 Default MSTP Configuration.................................................................................................................... 20

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2.3.2 Enabling and Disabling MSTP................................................................................................................. 20

2.3.3 Configuring MST Area ............................................................................................................................. 21
2.3.4 Configuring Network Root ....................................................................................................................... 22
2.3.5 Configuring Secondary Root ................................................................................................................... 23
2.3.6 Configuring Bridge Priority ...................................................................................................................... 23
2.3.7 Configuring STP Time Parameters.......................................................................................................... 24
2.3.8 Configuring Network Diameter ................................................................................................................ 25
2.3.9 Configuring Maximum Hop Count ........................................................................................................... 25
2.3.10 Configuring Port Priority ........................................................................................................................ 25
2.3.11 Configuring Path Cost of the Port.......................................................................................................... 26
2.3.12 Configuring Port Connection Type ........................................................................................................ 26
2.3.13 Activating MST-Compatible Mode ......................................................................................................... 27
2.3.14 Restarting Protocol Conversion Check ................................................................................................. 28
2.3.15 Check MSTP Information ...................................................................................................................... 28

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 STP Configuration

Chapter 1 Configuring STP

1.1 STP Introduction

The standard Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is based on the IEEE 802.1D standard.
A switch stack appears as a single spanning-tree node to the rest of the network, and
all stack members use the same bridge ID. Unless otherwise noted, the term switch
refers to a standalone switch and to a switch stack.

The STP uses a spanning-tree algorithm to select one switch of a redundantly

connected network as the root of the spanning tree. The algorithm calculates the best
loop-free path through a switched Layer 2 network by assigning a role to each port
based on the role of the port in the active topology.

STP is a Layer 2 link management protocol that provides path redundancy while
preventing loops in the network. For a Layer 2 Ethernet network to function properly,
only one active path can exist between any two stations. Multiple active paths among
end stations cause loops in the network. If a loop exists in the network, end stations
might receive duplicate messages. Switches might also learn end-station MAC
addresses on multiple Layer 2 interfaces. These conditions result in an unstable
network. Spanning-tree operation is transparent to end stations, which cannot detect
whether they are connected to a single LAN segment or a switched LAN of multiple
segments.

The STP uses a spanning-tree algorithm to select one switch of a redundantly

connected network as the root of the spanning tree. The algorithm calculates the
best loop-free path through a switched Layer 2 network by assigning a role to
each port based on the role of the port in the active topology:

The standard Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) is defined in IEEE 802.1D. It simplifies the
LAN topology comprising several bridges to a sole spinning tree, preventing
network loop from occurring and ensuring stable work of the network.

The algorithm of STP and its protocol configure the random bridging LAN to an active
topology with simple connections. In the active topology, some bridging ports can
forward frames; some ports are in the congestion state and cannot transmit frames.
Ports in the congestion state may be concluded in the active topology. When the
device is ineffective, added to or removed from the network, the ports may be changed
to the transmitting state.

In the STP topology, a bridge can be viewed as root. For every LAN section, a bridging
port will forward data from the network section to the root. The port is viewed as the
designated port of the network section. The bridge where the port is located is
viewed as the designated bridge of the LAN. The root is the designated bridge of all
network sections that the root connects. In ports of each bridge, the port which is
nearest to the root is the root port of the bridge. Only the root port and the
designated port (if available) is in the transmitting state. Ports of another type are not
shut down but they are not the root port or the designated port. We call these ports
are standby ports.

The following parameters decides the structure of the stabilized active topology:

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(1) Identifier of each bridge

(2) Path cost of each port

(3) Port identifier for each port of the bridge

The bridge with highest priority (the identifier value is the smallest) is selected as the
root. Ports of each bridge has the attribute Root Path Cost, that is, the minimum of
path cost summation of all ports from the root to the bridge. The designated port of
each network segment refers to the port connecting to the network segment and
having the minimum path cost.

When two ports on a switch are part of a loop, the spanning-tree port priority and path
cost settings control which port is put in the forwarding state and which is put in the
blocking state. The spanning-tree port priority value represents the location of a port in
the network topology and how well it is located to pass traffic. The path cost value
represents the media speed.

Our switch standard supports two modes of spanning tree protocol 802.1D STP and
802.1w RSTP. Some models of the switch support distributing STP mode according to
VLAN and MSTP spanning tree protocol. For more details, please refer to ‘STP Mode
and Model Table’ in chapter 2.

This chapter describes how to configure the standard spanning tree protocol that
switch supports.

Note:

802.1D STP and 802.1w RSTP are abbreviated to SSTP and RSTP in this article. SSTP means Single
Spanning-tree.

1.2 SSTP Configuratiom Task List

z Selecting STP Mode

z Disabling/Enabling STP

z Configuring the Switch Priority

z Configuring the Hello Time

z Configuring the Max-Age Time

z Configuring the Forward Delay Time

z Configuring Port Priority

z Configuring Path Cost

z Configuring the Auto-Designated port

z Monitoring STP Status

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1.3 SSTP Configuration Task

1.3.1 Selecting STP Mode

Run the following command to configure the STP mode:

Run… To…
spanning-tree mode {sstp | rstp} Select the STP configuration.

1.3.2 Disabling/Enabling STP

Spanning tree is enabled by default. Disable spanning tree only if you are sure there
are no loops in the network topology.

Follow these steps to disable spanning-tree:

command purpose
no spanning-tree Disables STP.

To enable spanning-tree, use the following command:

command purpose
spanning-tree Enables default mode STP (SSTP).

spanning-tree mode {sstp | rstp} Enables a certain mode STP.

1.3.3 Configuring the Switch Priority

You can configure the switch priority and make it more likely that a standalone switch
or a switch in the stack will be chosen as the root switch.

Follow these steps to configure the switch priority：

command purpose
spanning-tree sstp priority value Modifies sstp priority value.

no spanning-tree sstp priority Returns sstp priority to default value (32768).

1.3.4 Configuring the Hello Time

User can configure the interval between STP data units sent by the root switch through
changing the hello time.

Use the following command to configure Hello Time of SSTP：

command purpose
spanning-tree sstp hello-time value Configures sstp Hello Time.

no spanning-tree sstp hello-time Returns sstp Hello Time to default value (4s).

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1.3.5 Configuring the Max-Age Time

Use the sstp max age to configure the number of seconds a switch waits without
receiving spanning-tree configuration messages before attempting a reconfiguration.

Follow these steps to configure the maximum-aging time：

command purpose
spanning-tree sstp max-age value Configures the sstp max-age time.

no spanning-tree sstp max-age Returns the max-age time to default value

(20s).

1.3.6 Configuring the Forward Delay Time

Configure sstp forward delay to determine the number of seconds an interface waits
before changing from its spanning-tree learning and listening states to the forwarding
state.

Use the following command to configure sstp forward delay：

command purpose
spanning-tree sstp forward-time Configures sstp Forward time.

no spanning-tree sstp forward-time Returns forward time to default value (15s).

1.3.7 Configuring the Port Priority

If a loop occurs, spanning tree uses the port priority when selecting an interface to put
into the forwarding state. You can assign higher priority values (lower numerical values)
to interfaces that you want selected first and lower priority values (higher numerical
values) that you want selected last. If all interfaces have the same priority value,
spanning tree puts the interface with the lowest interface number in the forwarding
state and blocks the other interfaces.

Follow these steps to configure the port priority of an interface：

command purpose
spanning-tree port-priority value Configures the port priority for an interface.

spanning-tree sstp port-priority value Modifies sstp port priority.

no spanning-tree sstp port-priority Returns port priority to default value (128).

1.3.8 Configuring the Path Cost

Follow these steps to configure the cost of an interface：

command purpose
spanning-tree cost value Configures the cost for an interface.

spanning-tree sstp cost value Modifies sstp path cost.

no spanning-tree sstp cost Returns path cost to default value.

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1.3.9 Configuring Auto-Designated Port

The auto-designated port is a special function of S8500 switches. The function allows
line card to automatically send BPDU to the auto-designated port, reducing the load
of the MSU.

The auto-designated port function is effective in STP mode.

In global configuration mode, run the following commands to configure the

auto-designated port function of S8500 series switches:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree designated-auto Enables the auto-designated port function.

no spanning-tree designated-auto Disables the auto-designated port function.

1.3.10 Monitoring STP State

To monitor the STP configuration and state, use the following command in
management mode:

command purpose
show spanning-tree Displays spanning-tree information on active
interfaces only.

show spanning-tree detail Displays a detailed summary of interface

information.

show spanning-tree interface Displays spanning-tree information for the

specified interface.

1.4 Configuring VLAN STP

1.4.1 Overview

In SSTP mode, the whole network has only one STP entity. The state of the switch port
in the STP decides its state in all VLANs. In the case that multiple VLANs exist in the
network, the separation of the single STP and the network topology may cause
communication congestion in some parts of network.

Our switches run independent SSTP on a certain number of PurposeVLANs, ensuring

that the port has different state in different VLANs and that the load balance is
realized between VLANs.

Note that the switch can run the independent STP in up to 30 VLANs. Other VLAN
topologies is not controlled by the STP.

1.4.2 VLAN STP Configuration Task

In global configuration mode, run the following commands to configure SSTP attributes
in VLAN:

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Command Purpose
spanning-tree mode pvst Starts the VLAN-based STP distribution mode.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list Distributes the STP case for the designated
VLAN.

vlan-list: the list of VLAN

The switch distributes STP case for up to 30

VLANs.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list Deletes the STP case in the designated VLA.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list priority value Configures the priority for the STP in the
designated VLAN.

no spanning-tree vlan-list priority Resumes the STP priority in the VLAN to the
default configuration.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list forward-time Configures Forward Delay for the designated
value VLAN.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list Resumes Forward Delay of the designated

forward-time VLAN to the default configuration.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list max-age value Configures Max-age for the designated VLAN.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list max-age Resumes Max-age of the designated VLAN to

the default configuration.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list hello-time Configures HELLO-TIME for the designated

value VLAN.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list hello-time Resumes HELLO-TIME of the designated

VLAN to the default configuration.

In port configuration mode, run the following command to configure attributes of the
port:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree vlan vlan-list cost Configures the path cost of the designated
VLAN for the port.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list cost Resumes the default path cost of the
designated VLAN for the port.

spanning-tree vlan vlan-list port-priority Configures the port priority in the VLAN.

no spanning-tree vlan vlan-list Resumes the default port priority in the VLAN.
port-priority

In monitor or configuration mode, run the following command to check the STP state in
the specified VLAN:

Command Purpose
show spanning-tree vlan vlan-list Check the STP state in the VLAN.

1.5 RSTP Configuration Task List

z Enabling/Disabling Switch RSTP

z Configuring the Switch Priority

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z Configuring the Forward Delay Time

z Configuring the Hello time

z Configuring the Max-Age

z Configuring the Path Cost

z Configuring the Port Priority

z Enabling Protocol Conversation Check

1.6 RSTP Configuration Task

1.6.1 Enabling/Disabling Switch RSTP

Follow these configurations in the global configuration mode:

command purpose
spanning-tree mode rstp Enables RSTP

no spanning-tree mode Returns STP to default mode (SSTP)

1.6.2 Configuring the Switch Priority

You can configure the switch priority and make it more likely that a standalone switch
or a switch in the stack will be chosen as the root switch.

Follow these steps to configure the switch priority：

Follow these configurations in the global configuration mode:

command purpose
spanning-tree rstp priority value Modifies rstp priority value.

no spanning-tree rstp priority Returns rstp priority to default value.

Note: If the priority of all bridges in the whole switch network uses the same value,
then the bridge with the least MAC address will be chosen as the root bridge. In the
situation when the RSTP protocol is enabled, if the bridge priority value is modified, it
will cause the recalculation of spanning tree.

The bridge priority is configured to 32768 by default.

1.6.3 Configuring the Forward Delay Time

Link failures may cause network to recalculate the spanning tree structure. But the
latest configuration message can no be conveyed to the whole network. If the newly
selected root port and the specified port immediately start forwarding data, this may
cause temporary path loop. Therefore the protocol adopts a kind of state migration

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mechanism. There is an intermediate state before root port and the specified port
starting data forwarding, after the intermediate state passing the Forward Delay Time,
the forward state begins. This delay time ensures the newly configured message has
been conveyed to the whole network. The Forward Delay characteristic of the bridge is
related to the network diameter of the switch network. Generally, the grater the network
diameter, the longer the Forward Delay Time should be configured.

Follow these configurations in the global configuration mode:

Command purpose
spanning-tree rstp forward-time value Configures Forward Delay

no spanning-tree rstp forward-time Returns Forward Delay Time to default value

(15s).

Note: If you configure the Forward Delay Time to a relatively small value, it may leads
to a temporary verbose path. If you configure the Forward Delay Time to a relatively
big value, the system may not resume connecting for a long time. We recommend user
to use the default value.

The Forward Delay Time of the bridge is 15 seconds.

1.6.4 Configuring the Hello Time

The proper hello time value can ensure that the bridge detect link failures in the
network without occupying too much network resources.

Follow these configurations in the global configuration mode:

command purpose
spanning-tree rstp hello-time value Configures Hello Time

no spanning-tree rstp hello-time Returns Hello Time to default value.

Note: We recommend user to use the default value.

The default Hello Time is 4 seconds.

1.6.5 Configuring the Max-Age

The ma-age is the number of seconds a switch waits without receiving spanning-tree
configuration messages before attempting a reconfiguration.

Follow these configurations in the global configuration mode：

command purpose
spanning-tree rstp max-age value Configures the max-age value.

no spanning-tree rstp max-age Returns the max-age time to default value

(20s).

We recommend user to use the default value. Note: if you configure the Max Age to a
relatively small value, then the calculation of the spanning tree will be relatively

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frequent, and the system may regard the network block as link failure. If you configure
the Max Age to a relatively big value, then the link status will go unnoticed in time.

The Max Age of bridge is 20 seconds by default.

1.6.6 Configuring the Path Cost

The spanning-tree path cost default value is derived from the media speed of an
interface. If a loop occurs, spanning tree uses cost when selecting an interface to put
in the forwarding state. You can assign lower cost values to interfaces that you want
selected first and higher cost values to interfaces that you want selected last. If all
interfaces have the same cost value, spanning tree puts the interface with the lowest
interface number in the forwarding state and blocks the other interfaces.

Beginning in interface configuration mode, follow these steps to configure the cost of
an interface:

command purpose
spanning-tree rstp cost value Configures the cost for an interface.

no spanning-tree rstp cost Returns path cost to default value.

Note: The modification of the priority of the Ethernet port will arise the recalculation of
the spanning tree. We recommend user to use the default value and let RSTP protocol
calculate the path cost of the current Ethernet interface.

When the port speed is 10Mbps, the path cost of the Ethernet interface is 2000000.

When the port speed is 100Mbps, the path cost of the Ethernet interface is 200000.

1.6.7 Configuring the Port Priority

If a loop occurs, spanning tree uses the port priority when selecting an interface to put
into the forwarding state. You can assign higher priority values (lower numerical values)
to interfaces that you want selected first, and lower priority values (higher numerical
values) that you want selected last. If all interfaces have the same priority value,
spanning tree puts the interface with the lowest interface number in the forwarding
state and blocks the other interfaces.

Follow these configurations in the interface configuration mode：

command purpose
spanning-tree rstp port-priority value Configures the port priority for an interface.

no spanning-tree rstp port-priority Returns the port priority to the default value.

Note: The modification of the priority of the Ethernet interface will arise the
recalculation of the spanning tree.

The default Ethernet interface priority is 128.

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1.6.8 Enabling Protocol Conversion Check

RSTP protocol allows switch to cooperate with traditional 802.1D STP switch via a kind
of protocol conversion mechanism. If one interface of the switch receives configuration
information of STP, then this interface will be converted to the one that only sends STP
packet.

When an interface enters STP-compatible state，this interface won’t returns to RSTP

state even this interface no longer receives 802.1D STP BPDU. To return an interface
to RSTP mode, user can use the spanning-tree rstp migration-check command to
enable protocol conversion check process on an interface.

Note

Only switches supporting IEEE 802.1D 2004 RSTP support the migration-check command.

In global configuration mode, run the following command to restart the RSTP
conversion check:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree rstp migration-check Restart the protocol conversion check on all
ports.

In port configuration mode ， run the following command to perform the protocol
conversion check on the port:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree rstp migration-check Restart the protocol conversion check on the
current port.

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Chapter 2 Configuring MTSP

2.1 MSTP Overview

2.1.1 Introduction

Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) is used to create simple complete topology in
the bridging LAN. MSTP can be compatible with the earlier Spanning Tree Protocol
(STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).

Both STP and RSTP only can create sole STP topology. All VLAN messages are
forwarded through the only STP. STP converges too slow, so RSTP ensures a rapid
and stable network topology through the handshake mechanism.

MSTP inherits the rapid handshake mechanism of RSTP. At the same time, MST
allows different VLAN to be distributed to different STPs, creating multiple topologies in
the network. In networks created by MSTP, frames of different VLANs can be
forwarded through different paths, realizing the load balance of the VLAN data.

Different from the mechanism that VLAN distributes STP, MSTP allows multiple VLANs
to be distributed to one STP topology, effectively reducing STPs required to support
lots of VLANs.

2.1.2 MST Domain

In MSTP, the relationship between VLAN and STP is described through the MSTP
configuration table. MSTP configuration table, configuration name and configuration
edit number makes up of the MST configuration identifier.

In the network, interconnected bridges with same MST configuration identifier are
considered in the same MST region. Bridges in the same MST region always have the
same VLAN configuration, ensuring VLAN frames are sent in the MST region.

2.1.3 IST, CST, CIST and MSTI

Figure 2.1 shows an MSTP network, including three MST regions and a switch running
802.1D STP.

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Figure 2.1 MSTP topology

1. CIST

Common and Internal Spanning Tree (CIST) means the spanning tree comprised by all
single switches and interconnected LAN. These switches may belong to different MST
regions. They may be switches running traditional STP or RSTP. Switches running
STP or RSTP in the MST regions are considered to be in their own regions.

After the network topology is stable, the whole CIST chooses a CIST root bridge. An
internal CIST root bridge will be choosed in each region, which is the shortest path
from the heart of the region to CIST root.

2. CST

If each MST region is viewed as a single switch, Common Spanning Tree (CST) is the
spanning tree connecting all “single switches”. As shown in Figure 2.1, region 1, 2 and
3 and STP switches make up of the network CST.

3. IST

Internal Spanning Tree (IST) refers to part of CIST that is in an MST region, that is, IST
and CST make up of the CIST.

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4. MSTI

The MSTP protocol allows different VLANs to be distributed to different spanning trees.
Multiple spanning tree instances are then created. Normally, No.0 spanning tree
instance refers to CIST, which can be expanded to the whole network. Every spanning
tree instance starting from No.1 is in a certain region. Each spanning tree instance can
be distributed with multiple VLANs. In original state, all VLANs are distributed in CIST.

MSTI in the MST region is independent. They can choose different switches as their
own roots.

2.1.4 Port Role

Ports in MSTP can function as different roles, similar to ports in RSTP.

1. Root port

Figure 2.2 Root port

Root port stands for the path between the current switch and the root bridge, which
has minimum root path cost.

2. Alternate port

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Figure 2.3 Alternate port

The alternate port is a backup path between the current switch and the root bridge.
When the connection of root port is out of effect, the alternate port can promptly turn
into a new root port without work interruption.

3. Designated port

Figure 2.4 Designated port

The designated port can connect switches or LAN in the next region. It is the path
between the current LAN and root bridge.

4. Backup port

Figure 2.5 Backup port

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When two switch ports directly connect or both connect to the same LAN, the port with
lower priority is to be the backup port, the other port is to be the designated port. If
the designated port breaks down, the backup port becames the designated port to
continue working.

5. Master port

Figure 2.6 Master port

The Master port is the shortest path between MST region and CIST root bridge. Master
port is the root port of the root bridge in the CIST region.

6. Boundary port

The concept of boundary port in CIST is a little different from that in each MSTI. In
MSTI, the role of the boundary port means that the spanning tree instance does not
expand on the port.

7. Edge port

In the RSTP protocol or MSTP protocol, edge port means the port directly connecting
the network host. These ports can directly enter the forwarding state without causing
any loop in the network.

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Figure 2.7 Edge port

In original state, MTSP and RSTP do not take all ports as edge ports, ensuring the
network topology can be rapidly created. In this case, if a port receives BPDU from
other switches, the port is resumed from the edge state to the normal state. If the port
receives 802.1D STP BPDU, the port has to wait for double Forward Delay time and
then enter the forwarding state.

2.1.5 MSTP BPDU

Similar to STP and RSTP, switches running MSTP can communicate with each other
through Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU). All configuration information about the
CIST and MSTI can be carried by BPDU. Table 2.1 and Table 2.2 list the structure of
BPDU used by the MSTP.

Table 2.1 MSTP BPDU

Field Name Byte Number

Protocol Identifier 1–2

Protocol Version Identifier 3

BPDU Type 4

CIST Flags 5

CIST Root Identifier 6 – 13

CIST External Root Path Cost 14 – 17

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CIST Regional Root Identifier 18 – 25

CIST Port Identifier 26 – 27

Message Age 28 – 29

Max Age 30 – 31

Hello Time 32 – 33

Forward Delay 34 – 35

Version 1 Length 36

Version 3 Length 37 – 38

Format Selector 39

Configuration Name 40 – 71

Revision 72 – 73

Configuration Digest 74 – 89

CIST Internal Root Path Cost 90 – 93

CIST Bridge Identifier 94 – 101

CIST Remaining Hops 102

MSTI Configuration Messages 103 ~

Table 2.2 MST configuration information

Field Name Byte Number

MSTI FLAGS 1

MSTI Regional Root Identifier 2–9

MSTI Internal Root Path Cost 10 – 13

MSTI Bridge Priority 14

MSTI Port Priority 15

MSTI Remaining Hops 16

2.1.6 Stable State

The MSTP switch performs calculation and compares operations according to the
received BPDU, and finally ensures that:

(1) One switch is selected as the CIST root of the whole network.

(2) Each switch and LAN segment can decide the minimum cost path to the CIST
root, ensuring a complete connection and prevent loops.

(3) Each region has a switch as the CIST regional root. The switch has the minimum
cost path to the CIST root.

(4) Each MSTI can independently choose a switch as the MSTI regional root.

(5) Each switch in the region and the LAN segment can decide the minimum cost
path to the MSTI root.

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(6) The root port of CIST provides the minimum-cost path between the CIST
regional root and the CIST root.

(7) The designated port of the CIST provided its LAN with the minimum-cost path to
the CIST root.

(8) The Alternate port and the Backup port provides connection when the switch,
port or the LAN does not work or is removed.

(9) The MSTI root port provides the minimum cost path to the MSTI regional root.

(10) The designated port of MSTI provides the minimum cost path to the MSTI
regional root.

(11) A master port provides the connection between the region and the CIST root. In
the region, the CIST root port of the CIST regional root functions as the master
port of all MSTI in the region.

2.1.7 Hop Count

Different from STP and RSTP, the MSTP protocol does not use Message Age and Max
Age in the BPDU configuration message to calculate the network topology. MSTP uses
Hop Count to calculate the network topology.

To prevent information from looping, MSTP relates the transmitted information to the
attribute of hop count in each spanning tree. The attribute of hop count for BPDU is
designated by the CIST regional root or the MSTI regional root and reduced in each
receiving port. If the hop count becomes 0 in the port, the information will be dropped
and then the port turns to be a designated port.

2.1.8 STP Compatibility

MSTP allows the switch to work with the traditional STP switch through protocol
conversion mechanism. If one port of the switch receives the STP configuration
message, the port then only transmits the STP message. At the same time, the port
that receives the STP information is then considered as a boundary port.

Note：

When a port is in the STP-compatible state, the port will not automatically resume to the MSTP state even
if the port does not receive the STP message any more. In this case, you can run spanning-tree mstp
migration-check to clear the STP message that the port learned, and make the port to return to the
MSTP state.

The switch that runs the RSTP protocol can identify and handle the MSTP message.
Therefore, the MSTP switch does not require protocol conversion when it works with
the RSTP switch.

2.2 MSTP Configuration Task List

z Default MSTP configuration

z Enabling and disabling MSTP

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 STP Configuration

z Configuring MSTP region

z Configuring network root

z Configuring secondary root

z Configuring bridge priority

z Configuring time parameters of STP

z Configuring network diameter

z Configuring maximum hop count

z Configuring port priority

z Configuring path cost for port

z Configuring port connection type

z Activating MST-compatible mode

2.2.1 Activating MST-Compatible Mode

The MSTP protocol that our switches support is based on IEEE 802.1s. In order to be
compatible with other MSTPs, especially MSTP that the Cisco switches support, the
MSTP protocol can work in MST-compatible mode. Switches running in
MSTP-compatible mode can identify the message structure of other MSTPs, check
the contained MST regional identifier and establish the MST region.

The MST-compatible mode and the STP-compatible mode are based on MSTP
protocol conversion mechanism. If one port of the switch receives BPDU in compatible
mode, the port automatically changes to the mode and sends BPDU in compatible
mode. To resume the port to standard MST mode, you can run spanning-tree mstp
migration-check.

In global configuration mode, run the following commands to activate or disable the
MST-compatible mode:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp mst-compatible Activates the MST-compatible mode for the switch.

no spanning-tree mstp mst-compatible Disables the MST-compatible mode for the switch.

Note:

The main function of the compatible mode is to create the MST area for switches and other MSTP-running
switches. In actual networking, make sure that the switch has the same configuration name and the
same edit number. It is recommended to configure switches running other MSTP protocols to the CIST
root, ensuring that the switch enters the compatible mode by receiving message.

If the MST-compatible mode is not activated, the switch will not resolve the whole BPDU-compatible
content and take the content as the common RSTP BPDU. In this way, the switch cannot be in the same
area with the MST-compatible switch that it connects.

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 STP Configuration

A port in compatible mode cannot automatically resumes to send standard MST BPDU even if the
compatible mode is shut down in global configuration mode. In this case, run migration-check.

z Restart the protocol conversion check.

z Check the MSTP message.

2.3 MSTP Configuration Task

2.3.1 Default MSTP Configuration

Attribute Default Settings

STP mode SSTP (PVST, RSTP and MSTP is not started)

Area name Character string of MAC address

Area edit level 0

MST configuration list All VLANs are mapped in CIST (MST00).

Spanning-tree priority (CIST and all MSTI) 32768

Spanning-tree port priority (CIST and all MSTI) 128

Path cost of the spanning-tree port (CIST and all 1000 Mbps：20000
MSTI)
100 Mbps：200000

10 Mbps：2000000

Hello Time 2 seconds

Forward Delay 15 seconds

Maximum-aging Time 20 seconds

Maximum hop count 20

2.3.2 Enabling and Disabling MSTP

The STP protocol can be started in PVST or SSTP mode by default. You can stop it
running when the spanning-tree is not required.

Run the following command to set the STP to the MSTP mode:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree Enables STP in default mode.

spanning-tree mode mstp Enables MSTP.

Run the following command to disable STP:

Command Purpose
no spanning-tree Disable the STP.

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 STP Configuration

2.3.3 Configuring MST Area

The MST area where the switch resides is decided by three attributes: configuration
name, edit number, the mapping relation between VLAN and MSTI. You can
configure them through area configuration commands. Note that the change of any of
the three attributes will cause the change of the area where the switch resides.

In original state, the MST configuration name is the character string of the MAC
address of the switch. The edit number is 0 and all VLANs are mapped in the CIST
(MST00). Because different switch has different MAC address, switches that run MSTP
are in different areas in original state. You can run spanning-tree mstp instance
instance-id vlan vlan-list to create a new MSTI and map the designated VLAN to it. If
the MSTI is deleted, all these VLANs are mapped to the CIST again.

Run the following command to set the MST area information:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp name string Configures the MST configuration name.

string means the character string of the configuration

name. It contains up to 32 characters, capital sensitive. The
default value is the character string of the MAC address.

no spanning-tree mstp name Sets the MST configuration name to the default value.

spanning-tree mstp revision value Sets the MST edit number.

value represents the edit number, ranging from 0 to 65535.

The default value is 0.

no spanning-tree mstp revision Sets the MST edit number to the default value.

spanning-tree mstp instance instance-id vlan Maps VLAN to MSTI.

vlan-list
instance-id represents the instance number of the
spanning tree, meaning an MSTI. It ranges from 1 to 15.

vlan-list means the VLAN list that is mapped to the

spanning tree. It ranges from 1 to 4094.

instance-id is an independent value representing a

spanning tree instance.

vlan-list can represent a group of VLANs, such

as ”1,2,3”, ”1-5” and “1,2,5-10”.

no spanning-tree mstp instance instance-id Cancels the VLAN mapping of MSTI and disables the
spanning tree instance.

instance-id represents the instance number of the spanning

tree, meaning an MSTI. It ranges from 1 to 15.

Run the following command to check the configuration of the MSTP area:

Command Purpose
show spanning-tree mstp region Displays the configuration of the MSTP area.

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 STP Configuration

2.3.4 Configuring Network Root

In MSTP, each spanning tree instance has a bridge ID, containing the priority value
and MAC address of the switch. During the establishment of spanning tree topology,
the switch with comparatively small bridge ID is selected as the network root.

MSTP can set the switch to the network switch through configuration. You can run the
command Spanning-tree mstp Spanning-tree mstp instance-id rootroot to modify
the priority value of the switch in a spanning tree instance from the default value to a
sufficiently small value, ensuring the switch turns to be the root in the spanning tree
instance.

In general, after the previous command is executed, the protocol automatically check
the bridge ID of the current network root and then sets the priority field of the bridge
ID to 24576 when the value 24576 ensures that the current switch becomes the root
of the spanning tree.

If the network root’s priority value is smaller than the value 24576, MSTP automatically
sets the spanning tree's priority of the current bridge to a value that is 4096 smaller
than the priority value of the root. Note that the number 4096 is a step length of
network priority value.

When setting the root, you can run the diameter subcommand to the network diameter
of the spanning tree network. The keyword is effective only when the spanning tree
instance ID is 0. After the network diameter is set, MSTP automatically calculates
proper STP time parameters to ensure the stability of network convergence. Time
parameters include Hello Time, Forward Delay and Maximum Age. The
subcommand Hello-time can be used to set a new hello time to replace the default
settings.

Run the following command to set the switch to the network root:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp instance-id root primary Sets the switch to the root in the designated spanning tree
instance.
[ diameter net-diameter [ hello-time seconds ] ]
instance-id represents the number of the spanning tree
instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

net-diameter represents the network diameter, which is an

optional parameter. It is effective when instance-id is 0. It
ranges from 2 to 7.

seconds represents the unit of the hello time, ranging from

1 to 10.

no spanning-tree mstp instance-id root Cancels the root configuration of the switch in the spanning
tree.

instance-id means the number of the spanning tree

instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

Run the following command to check the MSTP message:

Command Purpose
show spanning-tree mstp Checks the MSTP message.

[ instance instance-id ]

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2.3.5 Configuring Secondary Root

After the network root is configured, you can run spanning-tree mstp instance-id
root secondary to set one or multiple switches to the secondary roots or the backup
roots. If the root does not function for certain reasons, the secondary roots will become
the network root.

Different from the primary root configuration, after the command to configure the
primary root is run, MSTP sets the spanning tree priority of the switch to 28672. In the
case that the priority value of other switches is the default value 32768, the current
switch can be the secondary root.

When configuring the secondary root, you can run the subcommands diameter and
hello-time to update the STP time parameters. When the secondary root becomes the
primary root and starts working, all these parameters starts functioning.

Run the following command to set the switch to the secondary root of the network:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp instance-id root secondary Sets the switch to the secondary root in the designated
spanning tree instance.
[ diameter net-diameter [ hello-time seconds ] ]
instance-id represents the number of the spanning tree
instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

net-diameter represents the network diameter, which is an

optional parameter. It is effective when instance-id is 0. It
ranges from 2 to 7.

seconds represents the unit of the hello time, ranging from

1 to 10.

no spanning-tree mstp instance-id root Cancels the root configuration of the switch in the spanning
tree.

instance-id means the number of the spanning tree

instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

Run the following command to check the MSTP message:

Command Purpose
show spanning-tree mstp Check the message about the MST instance.

[ instance instance-id ]

2.3.6 Configuring Bridge Priority

In some cases, you can directly set the switch to the network root by configuring the
bridge priority. It means that you can set the switch to the network root without running
the subcommand root. The priority value of the switch is independent in each
spanning tree instance. Therefore, the priority of the switch can be set independently.

Run the following command to configure the priority of the spanning tree:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp instance-id priority value Sets the priority of the switch.

instance-id represents the number of the spanning tree

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 STP Configuration

instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

value represents the priority of the bridge. It can be one of

the following values:

0, 4096, 8192, 12288, 16384, 20480, 24576, 28672,

32768, 36864, 40960, 45056, 49152, 53248, 57344, 61440

no spanning-tree mstp instance-id priority Resumes the bridge priority of the switch to the default
value.

instance-id means the number of the spanning tree

instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

2.3.7 Configuring STP Time Parameters

The following are STP time parameters:

z Hello Time：

The interval to send the configuration message to the designated port when the
switch functions as the network root.
z Forward Delay：

Time that the port needs when it changes from the Blocking state to the
learning state and to the forwarding state in STP mode.
z Max Age：

The maximum live period of the configuration information about the spanning
tree.
To reduce the shock of the network topology, the following requirements for the time
parameters must be satisfied:

z 2 x (fwd_delay - 1.0) >= max_age

z max_age >= (hello_time + 1) x 2

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp hello-time seconds Sets the parameter Hello Time.

The parameter seconds is the unit of Hello Time, ranging

from 1 to 10 seconds. Its default value is two seconds.

no spanning-tree mstp hello-time Resumes Hello Time to the default value.

spanning-tree mstp forward-time seconds Sets the parameter Forward Delay.

The parameter seconds is the unit of Forward Delay,

ranging from 4 to 30 seconds. Its default value is 15
seconds.

no spanning-tree mstp forward-time Resumes Forward Delay to the default value.

spanning-tree mstp max-age seconds Sets the parameter Max Age.

The parameter seconds is the unit of Max Age, ranging

from 6 to 40 seconds. Its default value is 20 seconds.

no spanning-tree mstp max-age Resumes Max Age to the default value.

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 STP Configuration

It is recommended to modify STP time parameters by setting root or network diameter,

which ensures correct modification of time parameters.

The newly-set time parameters are valid even if they do not comply with the previous
formula’s requirements. Pay attention to the notification on the console when you
perform configuration.

2.3.8 Configuring Network Diameter

Network diameter stands for the maximum number of switches between two hosts in
the network, representing the scale of the network.

You can set the MSTP network diameter by running the command spanning-tree
mstp diameter net-diameter. The parameter net-diameter is valid only to CIST. After
configuration, three STP time parameters is automatically updated to comparatively
better values.

Run the following command to configure net-diameter:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp diameter net-diameter Configure net-diameter.

The parameter net-diameter ranges from 2 to 7. The

default value is 7.

no spanning-tree mstp diameter Resumes net-diameter to the default value.

The parameter net-diameter is not saved as an independent setup in the switch. Only
when modified by setting the network diameter can the time parameter be saved.

2.3.9 Configuring Maximum Hop Count

Run the following command to configure the maximum hop count.

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp max-hops hop-count Set the maximum hops.

hop-count ranges from 1 to 40. Its default value is 20.

no spanning-tree mstp hop-count Resume the maximum hop count to the default value.

2.3.10 Configuring Port Priority

If a loop occurs between two ports of the switch, the port with higher priority will enter the
forwarding state and the port with lower priority is blocked. If all ports have the same priority, the
port with smaller port number will first enter the forwarding state.

In port configuration mode, run the following command to set the priority of the STP
port:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp instance-id port-priority Sets the priority of the STP port.
priority
instance-id stands for the number of the spanning tree
instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

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 STP Configuration

priority stands for the port priority. It can be one of the

following values:

0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112

128, 144, 160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240

spanning-tree port-priority value Sets the port priority in all spanning tree instances.

value stands for the port priority. It can be one of the

following values:

0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112

128, 144, 160, 176, 192, 208, 224, 240

no spanning-tree mstp instance-id port-priority Resumes the port priority to the default value.

no spanning-tree port-priority Resumes the port priority to the default value in all spanning
tree instances.

Run the following command to check the information about the MSTP port.
Command Purpose

show spanning-tree mstp interface interface-id Check MSTP port information.

interface-id stands for the port name, such as “F0/1” and

“FastEtnernet0/3”.

2.3.11 Configuring Path Cost of the Port

In MSTP, the default value of the port’s path cost is based on the connection rate. If a
loop occurs between two switches, the port with less path cost will enter the forwarding
state. The less the path cost is, the higher rate the port is. If all ports have the same
path cost, the port with smaller port number will first enter the forwarding state.

In port configuration mode, run the following command to set the path cost of the port:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp instance-id cost cost Sets the path cost of the port.

instance-id stands for the number of the spanning tree

instance, ranging from 0 to 15.

cost stands for the path cost of the port, which ranges from
1 to 200000000.

spanning-tree cost value Sets the path cost of the port in all spanning tree instances.

Value stands for the path cost of the port, which ranges
from 1 to 200000000.

no spanning-tree mstp instance-id cost Resumes the path cost of the port to the default value.

no spanning-tree cost Resumes the path cost of the port to the default value in all
spanning tree instances.

2.3.12 Configuring Port Connection Type

If the connection between MSTP-supported switches is the point-to-point direct

connection, the switches can rapidly establish connection through handshake

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 STP Configuration

mechanism. When you configure the port connection type, set the port connection to
the point-to-point type.

The protocol decides whether to use the point-to-point connection or not according to
the duplex attribute. If the port works in full-duplex mode, the protocol considers the
connection is a point-to-point one. If the port works in the half-duplex mode, the
protocol considers the connection is a shared one.

If the switch that the port connects run the RSTP protocol or the MSTP protocol, you
can set the port connection type to point-to-point, ensuring that a handshake is
rapidly established.

In port configuration mode, run the following command to set the port connection type.

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp point-to-point force-true Sets the port connection type to point-to-point.

spanning-tree mstp point-to-point force-false Sets the port connection type to shared.

spanning-tree mstp point-to-point auto Automatically checks the port connection type.

no spanning-tree mstp point-to-point Resumes the port connection type to the default settings.

2.3.13 Activating MST-Compatible Mode

The MSTP protocol that our switches support is based on IEEE 802.1s. In order to be
compatible with other MSTPs, especially MSTP that the Cisco switches support, the
MSTP protocol can work in MST-compatible mode. Switches running in
MSTP-compatible mode can identify the message structure of other MSTPs, check
the contained MST regional identifier and establish the MST region.

The MST-compatible mode and the STP-compatible mode are based on MSTP
protocol conversion mechanism. If one port of the switch receives BPDU in compatible
mode, the port automatically changes to the mode and sends BPDU in compatible
mode. To resume the port to standard MST mode, you can run spanning-tree mstp
migration-check.

In global configuration mode, run the following commands to enable or disable the
MST-compatible mode:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp mst-compatible Enable the MST-compatible mode of the switch.

no spanning-tree mstp mst-compatible Disable the MST-compatible mode of the switch.

Note:

The main function of the compatible mode is to create the MST area for switches and other MSTP-running
switches. In actual networking, make sure that the switch has the same configuration name and the
same edit number. It is recommended to configure switches running other MSTP protocols to the CIST
root, ensuring that the switch enters the compatible mode by receiving message.

If the MST-compatible mode is not activated, the switch will not resolve the whole BPDU-compatible
content and take the content as the common RSTP BPDU. In this way, the switch cannot be in the same
area with the MST-compatible switch that it connects.

A port in compatible mode cannot automatically resumes to send standard MST BPDU even if the
compatible mode is shut down in global configuration mode. In this case, run migration-check.

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 STP Configuration

2.3.14 Restarting Protocol Conversion Check

MSTP allows the switch to work with the traditional STP switch through protocol
conversion mechanism. If one port of the switch receives the STP configuration
message, the port then only transmits the STP message. At the same time, the port
that receives the STP information is then considered as a boundary port.

Note：

When a port is in the STP-compatible state, the port will not automatically resume to the MSTP state even
if the port does not receive the STP message any more. In this case, you can run spanning-tree mstp
migration-check to clear the STP message that the port learned, and make the port to return to the
MSTP state.

The switch that runs the RSTP protocol can identify and handle the MSTP message.
Therefore, the MSTP switch does not require protocol conversion when it works with
the RSTP switch.

In global configuration mode, run the following command to clear all STP information
that is detected by all ports of the switch:

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp migration-check Clears all STP information that is detected by all ports of the
switch.

In port configuration mode, run the following command to clear STP information
detected by the port.

Command Purpose
spanning-tree mstp migration-check Clears STP information detected by the port.

2.3.15 Check MSTP Information

In monitor command, global configuration command or port configuration command,

run the following command to check all information about MSTP.

Command Purpose
show spanning-tree Checks MSTP information.

(Information about SSTP, PVST, RSTP and MSTP can be

checked)

show spanning-tree detail Checks the details of MSTP information.

(Information about SSTP, PVST, RSTP and MSTP can be

checked)）

show spanning-tree interface interface-id Checks the STP interface information.

(Information about SSTP, PVST, RSTP and MSTP can be

checked)）

show spanning-tree mstp Checks all MST instances.

show spanning-tree mstp region Checks the MST area configuration.

show spanning-tree mstp instance instance-id Checks information about a MST instance.

show spanning-tree mstp detail Checks detailed MST information.

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 STP Configuration

show spanning-tree mstp interface interface-id Checks MST port configuration.

show spanning-tree mstp protocol-migration Checks the protocol conversion state of the port.

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