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Catalyst 2960 Switch SoftwareConfiguration Guide
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Chapter17 Configuring Optiona l Spanning-Tree Features
Understanding Optional Spanning-Tree Features
Understanding BPDU Guard
The BPDU guard feature can be globally enabled on the switch or can be enabled per interface, but the
feature operates with some differences.
At the global level, you enable BPDU guard on Port Fast-enabled interfaces by using the spanning-tree
portfast bpduguard default global configuration command. Spanning tree shuts down interfaces that
are in a Port Fast-operational state if any BPDU is received on those interfaces. In a valid configuration,
Port Fast-enabled interfaces do not receive BPDUs. Receiving a BPDU on a Port Fast-enabled interface
signals an invalid configuration, such as the connection of an unauthorized device, an d the BPDU guard
feature puts the interface in the error-disabled state.
At the interface level, you enable BPDU guard on any interface by using the spanning-tree bpduguard
enable interface configuration command without also enabling the Port Fast feature. When the interface
receives a BPDU, it is put in the error-disabled state.
The BPDU guard feature provides a secure response to invalid configurations because you must
manually put the interface back in service. Use the BPDU guard feature in a service-provider network
to prevent an access port from participating in the spanning tree.
You can enable the BPDU guard feature for the entire switch or for an interface.
Understanding BPDU Filtering
The BPDU filtering feature can be globally enabled on the switch or can be enabled per interface, but
the feature operates with some differences.
At the global level, you can enable BPDU filtering on Port Fast-enabled interfaces by using the
spanning-tree portfast bpdufilter default global configuration command. This command prevents
interfaces that are in a Port Fast-operational state from sending or receiving BPDUs. The interfaces still
send a few BPDUs at link-up before the switch begins to filter outbound BPDUs. You should globally
enable BPDU filtering on a switch so that hosts connected to these interfaces do not receive BPDUs. If
a BPDU is received on a Port Fast-enabled interface, the interface loses its Port Fast-operational status,
and BPDU filtering is disabled.
At the interface level, you can enable BPDU filtering on any interface by using the spanning-tree
bpdufilter enable interface configuration command without also enabling the Port Fast feature. This
command prevents the interface from sending or receiving BPDUs.
Caution Enabling BPDU filtering on an interface is the same as disabling spanning tree on it and can result in
spanning-tree loops.
You can enable the BPDU filtering feature for the entire switch or for an interface.