Implement Spanning

Tree Protocols

LAN Switching and Wireless Chapter 5

Version 4.0

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Objectives

Explain the role of redundancy in a converged

network

Summarize how STP works to eliminate Layer 2 loops

in a converged network

Explain how the STP algorithm uses three steps to

converge on a loop-free topology

Implement rapid per VLAN spanning tree (rapid

PVST+) in a LAN to prevent loops between redundant
switches.

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Role of Redundancy in a Converged

Switched Network

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Layer 2 loops in a well managed network

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How STP works to Eliminate Layer 2

Loops in a Converged Network

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STP Algorithm - STP uses the Spanning Tree

Algorithm (STA) to determine which switch ports on a
network need to be configured for blocking to prevent
loops from occurring.
Root Bridge - serves as a reference point for all
spanning-tree calculations to determine which
redundant paths to block.
Root ports - Switch ports closest to the root bridge.
Designated ports - All non-root ports that are still
permitted to forward traffic on the network
Non-designated ports - All ports configured to be in a
blocking state to prevent loops.
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The Root Bridge

Bridge ID Is compose of the following:
A. Priority Value
B. Extended System ID
C. MAC Address
BPDU - Message frame exchanged by switches for STP
to determine which switch has the lowest bridge ID
(BID) on the network.
-The switch with the lowest BID automatically
becomes the root bridge for the STA calculations.
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Best path to the root bridge

When the root bridge has been designated for the
spanning-tree instance, the STA starts the process of
determining the best paths to the root bridge from all
destinations in the broadcast domain.
The path information is determined by summing up the
individual port costs along the path from the destination to
the root bridge.

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Port Cost
Sum of all the port costs along the path to the root
bridge.
The paths with the lowest path cost become the
preferred path, and all other redundant paths are
blocked.

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BPDU Process
Initially, each switch identifies itself as the root bridge.
Each switch maintains local information about its own
BID, the root ID, and the path cost to the root.
When adjacent switches receive a BPDU frame, they
compare the root ID from the BPDU frame with the
local root ID.
If the root ID in the BPDU is lower than the local root
ID, the switch updates the local root ID and the ID in its
BPDU messages.
If the local root ID is lower than the root ID received in
the BPDU frame, the BPDU frame is discarded.
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Bridge ID
Bridge Priority - The switch with the lowest priority,
which means lowest BID, becomes the root bridge (the
lower the priority value, the higher the priority).
Default value is 32768 (1-65536)
Extended System ID Added to the bridge priority
value.
MAC Address - The MAC address with the lowest
hexadecimal value is considered to be the preferred
root bridge.
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Configuring Bridge Priority

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Configuring Port Priority

-The port priority values range from 0 - 240, in
increments of 16.

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Port States
Blocking - The port is a non-designated port and does not
participate in frame forwarding. (20 sec)
Listening - the switch port is not only receiving BPDU frames, it is
also transmitting its own BPDU frames(15 sec)
Learning - The port prepares to participate in frame forwarding and
begins to populate the MAC address table. (15 sec)
Forwarding - The port is considered part of the active topology and
forwards frames and also sends and receives BPDU frames.
Disabled - The Layer 2 port does not participate in spanning tree
and does not forward frames.

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Cisco PortFast Technology

When a switch port configured with PortFast is
configured as an access port, that port transitions from
blocking to forwarding state immediately, bypassing the
typical STP listening and learning states.

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How STP works to Eliminate Layer 2

Loops in a Converged Network
Role of the BPDU in STP

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How STP works to Eliminate Layer 2

Loops in a Converged Network
Role of the BID in STP

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How STP works to Eliminate Layer 2

Loops in a Converged Network
how port roles support the operation of STP

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How STP works to Eliminate Layer 2

Loops in a Converged Network
Role of STP port states and BPDU timers in the
operation of STP

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How the STP Algorithm Uses Three Steps to

Converge on a Loop-Free Topology
convergence for a switched network and summarize
the 3 step process STP uses to create a loop free
topology

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How the STP Algorithm Uses Three Steps to

Converge on a Loop-Free Topology
STP decision sequence is used to elect a root bridge
for a network

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Explain How the STP Algorithm Uses Three

Steps to Converge on a Loop-Free Topology
Describe the process of electing a root port on a switch

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Explain How the STP Algorithm Uses Three

Steps to Converge on a Loop-Free Topology
Describe the process of electing designated ports and
non-designated ports on a switch

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
PVST+, RSTP and rapid PVST+ variants of STP

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
features of PVST+

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
Features of RSTP

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
RSTP edge ports

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
RSTP link types

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
RSTP port states and port roles

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
how to configure rapid PVST+

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
Describe how to design STP to avoid problems

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Implement Rapid per VLAN Spanning

Tree (rapid PVST+) in a LAN
Describe how to identify and solve the key STP
configuration issues

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Summary
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is used to prevent loops
from being formed on redundant networks
STP uses different port states & timers to logically
prevent loops
There is at least one switch in a network that serves as
the root bridge
Root bridge is elected using information found in BPDU frames

Root ports are determined by the spanning tree

algorithm and are closest to the root bridge

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Summary
STP lengthy convergence time (50 seconds) facilitated
the development of:
RSTP
convergence time is slightly over 6 seconds
Rapid PVST+
adds VLAN support to RSTP
is the preferred spanning-tree protocol on a Cisco switch
netowrk

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