Implementing Spanning Tree

Describing the STP

Transparent Bridging

A switch has the same characteristics as a transparent bridge.

What Is a Bridge Loop?

Bridge loops can occur any time there is a redundant path or

loop in the bridge network.
Preventing Bridge Loops

Bridge loops can be prevented by disabling the redundant

path.
802.1D STP

• Configured root switch

• Redundant switch links
• Optimal path selection
 Bridge Protocol Data Unit

BPDUs provide for the exchange of information between switches.

The STP Root Bridge

• Reference point
• One root per VLAN
• Maintains topology
• Propagates timers
Root Bridge Selection Criteria
 Extended System ID in Bridge ID Field

Bridge ID
Without the
Extended
System ID

Bridge ID with
the Extended
System ID
802.1D 16-bit Bridge Priority Field Using the
Extended System ID
• Only four high-order bits
of the 16-bit Bridge
Priority field carry actual
priority.
• Therefore, priority can be
incremented only in steps
of 4096, onto which will be
added the VLAN number.
• Example:
For VLAN 11: If the priority
is left at default, the 16-bit
Priority field will hold
32768 + 11 = 32779.
215 4 12 bits 20
bits
Priority VLAN Number
Priority Values (Hex) Priority Values (Dec)
0 0
1 4096
2 8192
. .
. .
8 (default) 32768
. .
. .
F 61440
 Configuring the Root Bridge

Switch(config)#spanning-tree vlan 1 root primary

• This command forces this switch to be the root.

Switch(config)#spanning-tree vlan 1 root secondary

• This command configures this switch to be the secondary root.

Or

Switch(config)#spanning-tree vlan 1 priority priority

• This command statically configures the priority (in increments

of 4096).
Root Bridge Selection

Which switch has the lowest bridge ID?

Spanning Tree Operation

• One root bridge

per network
• One root port per
nonroot bridge
• One designated
port per segment
• Nondesignated
ports are blocking
Spanning Tree Port States
Spanning tree transitions each port through several
different states.
Local Switch Root Port Election
Spanning Tree Path Cost

Link Speed Cost (Revised IEEE Spec) Cost (Previous IEEE Spec)

10 Gbps 2 1

1 Gbps 4 1

100 Mbps 19 10

10 Mbps 100 100

Spanning Tree Protocol
Root Port Selection

• SW X is the root bridge.

• SW Y needs to elect a root port.
• Which port is the root port on SW Y?
• Fast Ethernet total cost = 0 + 19.
• Ethernet total cost = 0 + 100.
STP Designated Port Selection

• Switch X is the root bridge.

• All ports on the root bridge are designated ports because they
have a path cost of 0.
• Because the Ethernet segment has a path cost of 100, switch Y
will block on that port.
• Do all segments have a designated port?
Example: Layer 2 Topology Negotiation
Enhancements to STP

• PortFast
• Per VLAN Spanning Tree+ (PVST+)
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)
– MSTP is also known as Multi-Instance Spanning Tree
Protocol (MISTP) on Cisco Catalyst 6500 switches and
above
• Per VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree (PVRST)
Describing PortFast
Configuring PortFast

Configuring
• spanning-tree portfast (interface command)
or
• spanning-tree portfast default (global command)
– enables PortFast on all nontrunking ports

Verifying
• show running-config interface fastethernet 1/1
IEEE Documents

• IEEE 802.1D - Media Access Control (MAC) bridges

• IEEE 802.1Q - Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks
• IEEE 802.1w - Rapid Reconfiguration (Supp. to 802.1D)
• IEEE 802.1s - Multiple Spanning Tree (Supp. to 802.1Q)
• IEEE 802.1t - Local and Metropolitan Area Network:
Common Specifications
Summary

• Transparent bridges require no client configuration.

• A bridge loop may occur when there are redundant paths
between switches.
• A loop free network eliminates redundant paths between
switches.
• The 802.1D protocol establishes a loop-free network.
• The root bridge is a reference point for STP.
• Each STP port will host a specific port role.
• Enhancements now enable STP to converge more quickly
and run more efficiently.