Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol - Cisco WS-C2948G-GE-TX Configuration Manual

Understanding How MST Works
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Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol

RSTP significantly reduces the time that it takes you to reconfigure the active topology of the network
when changes to the physical topology or its configurations parameters occur. RSTP selects one switch
as the root of a spanning-tree-connected active topology and assigns port roles to individual ports of the
switch, depending on whether that port is part of the active topology.
RSTP provides rapid connectivity following the failure of a switch, switch port, or a LAN. A new root
port and the designated port on the other side of the bridge transition to forwarding through an explicit
handshake between them. RSTP allows switch port configuration so that the ports can transition to
forwarding directly when the switch reinitializes.
RSTP, specified in 802.1w, supersedes STP, which is specified in 802.1D, while retaining compatibility
with STP. RSTP provides the structure on which the MST operates. You configure RSTP when you
configure the MST feature. For more information, see the
RSTP provides backward compatibility with 802.1D bridges, as follows:
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RSTP Port Roles
RSTP uses the following definitions for port roles:
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Port roles are assigned as follows:
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Catalyst 4500 Series, Catalyst 2948G, Catalyst 2948G-GE-TX, and Catalyst 2980G Switches Software Configuration Guide—Release 8.2GLX
7-16
Do not connect switches with access links because access links may partition a VLAN.
Any MST configuration involving a large number of either existing or new logical VLAN ports
should be carried out during the maintenance window. This action should be taken because the
complete MST database gets reinitialized for any incremental changes (such as adding new VLANs
to instances or moving VLANs across instances).
RSTP selectively sends 802.1D-configured BPDUs and Topology Change Notification (TCN)
BPDUs on a per-port basis.
When a port initializes, the Migration Delay timer starts and RSTP BPDUs are transmitted. While
the Migration Delay timer is active, the bridge processes all BPDUs that are received on that port.
RSTP BPDUs are not visible on the port. Only version 3 BPDUs are visible on the port.
If the bridge receives an 802.1D BPDU after a port's Migration Delay timer expires, the bridge
assumes that it is connected to an 802.1D bridge and starts using only 802.1D BPDUs.
When RSTP uses 802.1D BPDUs on a port and receives an RSTP BPDU after the migration delay
expires, RSTP restarts the Migration Delay timer and begins using RSTP BPDUs on that port.
Root—A forwarding port that is elected for the spanning tree topology.
Designated—A forwarding port that is elected for every switched LAN segment.
Alternate—An alternate path to the root bridge to that provided by the current root port.
Backup—A backup for the path that is provided by a designated port toward the leaves of the
spanning tree. Backup ports can exist only where two ports are connected together in a loopback by
a point-to-point link or bridge with two or more connections to a shared LAN segment.
Disabled—A port that has no role within the operation of spanning tree.
A root port or designated port role includes the port in the active topology.
An alternate port or backup port role excludes the port from the active topology.
Chapter 7 Configuring Spanning Tree
"Configuring MST" section on page 7-46.
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