Configuring Spanning Tree Timers; Configuration Restrictions And Guidelines - HP FlexFabric 12900 Series Configuration Manual

In PVST mode, the configured network diameter takes effect only on the root bridges of the specified
VLANs.
To configure the network diameter of a switched network:
Step
1. Enter system view.
2. Configure the network
diameter of the switched
network.

Configuring spanning tree timers

The following timers are used for spanning tree calculation:
• Forward delay—Delay time for port state transition. To prevent temporary loops on a network, the
spanning tree feature sets an intermediate port state (the learning state) before it transits from the
discarding state to the forwarding state. The feature also requires that the port transit its state after
a forward delay timer to make sure the state transition of the local port stays synchronized with the
peer.
Hello time—Interval at which the device sends configuration BPDUs to detect link failures. If the
•
device receives no configuration BPDUs within the timeout period, it recalculates the spanning tree.
The formula for calculating the timeout period is timeout period = timeout factor × 3 × hello time.
Max age—In the CIST of an MSTP network, the device uses the max age timer to determine if a
•
configuration BPDU received by a port has expired. If it has, a new spanning tree calculation
process starts. The max age timer does not take effect on other MSTIs except the CIST.
To ensure a fast topology convergence, make sure the timer settings meet the following formulas:
2 × (forward delay – 1 second) ≥ max age
•
• Max age ≥ 2 × (hello time + 1 second)
HP recommends not manually setting the spanning tree timers. HP recommends that you specify the
network diameter and letting spanning tree protocols automatically calculate the timers based on the
network diameter. If the network diameter uses the default value, the timers also use their default values.
Configure the timers only on the root bridge. The timer settings on the root bridge apply to all devices on
the entire switched network.

Configuration restrictions and guidelines

The length of the forward delay timer is related to the network diameter of the switched network. The
•
larger the network diameter is, the longer the forward delay time should be. If the forward delay
timer is too short, temporary redundant paths might occur. If the forward delay timer is too long,
network convergence might take a long time. HP recommends that you use the automatically
calculated value.
• An appropriate hello time setting enables the device to promptly detect link failures on the network
without using excessive network resources. If the hello time is too long, the device mistakes packet
loss for a link failure and triggers a new spanning tree calculation process. If the hello time is too
Command
system-view
•
In STP/RSTP/MSTP mode:
stp bridge-diameter diameter
•
In PVST mode:
stp vlan vlan-id-list bridge-diameter
diameter
89
Remarks
N/A
The default setting is 7.