Rapid Convergence - Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual

Chapter 14 Configuring MSTP
In a stable topology with consistent port roles throughout the network, the RSTP ensures that every root
port and designated port immediately transition to the forwarding state while all alternate and backup
ports are always in the discarding state (equivalent to blocking in IEEE 802.1D). The port state controls
the operation of the forwarding and learning processes.
802.1D and RSTP port states.
Table 14-1
Operational Status
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Disabled
To be consistent with Cisco STP implementations, this guide defines the port state as blocking instead
of discarding. Designated ports start in the listening state.

Rapid Convergence

The RSTP provides for rapid recovery of connectivity following the failure of a switch, a switch port, or
a LAN. It provides rapid convergence for edge ports, new root ports, and ports connected through
point-to-point links as follows:
•
•
•
78-11380-12
Port State Comparison
STP Port State
(IEEE 802.1D)
Blocking
Listening
Learning
Forwarding
Disabled
Edge ports—If you configure a port as an edge port on an RSTP switch by using the spanning-tree
portfast interface configuration command, the edge port immediately transitions to the forwarding
state. An edge port is the same as a Port Fast-enabled port, and you should enable it only on ports
that connect to a single end station.
Root ports—If the RSTP selects a new root port, it blocks the old root port and immediately
transitions the new root port to the forwarding state.
Point-to-point links—If you connect a port to another port through a point-to-point link and the local
port becomes a designated port, it negotiates a rapid transition with the other port by using the
proposal-agreement handshake to ensure a loop-free topology.
As shown in Figure 14-2, Switch A is connected to Switch B through a point-to-point link, and all
of the ports are in the blocking state. Assume that the priority of Switch A is a smaller numerical
value than the priority of Switch B. Switch A sends a proposal message (a configuration BPDU) with
the proposal flag set) to Switch B, proposing itself as the designated switch.
After receiving the proposal message, Switch B selects as its new root port the port from which the
proposal message was received, forces all nonedge ports to the blocking state, and sends an
agreement message (a BPDU with the agreement flag set) through its new root port.
After receiving Switch B's agreement message, Switch A also immediately transitions its designated
port to the forwarding state. No loops in the network are formed because Switch B blocked all of its
nonedge ports and because there is a point-to-point link between Switches A and B.
Table 14-1
RSTP Port State
Discarding
Discarding
Learning
Forwarding
Discarding
Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
Understanding RSTP
provides a comparison of IEEE
Is Port Included in the
Active Topology?
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
14-7