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Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 for Dell Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter18 Configuring MSTP
Understanding MSTP
•Configuring MSTP Features, page 18-14
•Displaying the MST Configuration and Status, page 18-26
Understanding MSTP
MSTP, which uses RSTP for rapid convergence, enables VLANs to be grouped into a spanning-tree
instance, with each instance having a spanning-tree topology inde pende nt o f othe r spanning -t ree
instances. This architecture provides multiple forwarding paths for data traffic, enables load-balancing,
and reduces the number of spanning-tree instances required to support a large number of VLANs .
These sections describe how the MSTP works:
•Multiple Spanning-Tree Regions, page 18-2
•IST, CIST, and CST, page18-3
•Hop Count, page 18-5
•Boundary Ports, page 18-6
•IEEE 802.1s Implementation, page 18-6
•MSTP and Switch Stacks, page18-8
•Interoperability with IEEE 802.1D STP, page 18-9
For configuration information, see the “Configuring MSTP Features” section on page 18-14.

Multiple Spanning-Tree Regions

For switches to participate in multiple spanning-tree (MST) instances, you must consistently configure
the switches with the same MST configuration information. A collection of interconnected switches that
have the same MST configuration comprises an MST region as shown in Figure 18-1 on page 18-4.
The MST configuration controls to which MST region each switch belongs. The configuration includ es
the name of the region, the revision number, and the MST VLAN-to-instance assignment map. You
configure the switch for a region by using the spanning-tree mst configuration global configuration
command, after which the switch enters the MST configuration mode. From this mode, you can map
VLANs to an MST instance by using the instan ce MST configuration command, specify the region name
by using the name MST configuration command, and set the revision number by using the revision MST
configuration command.
A region can have one or multiple members with the same MST configuration. Each member must be
capable of processing RSTP bridge protocol data units (BPDUs). There is no limit to the number of MST
regions in a network, but each region can support up to 65 spanning-tree instances. Instances can be
identified by any number in the range from 0 to 4094. You can assign a VLAN to only one spanning-tree
instance at a time.