19-3
Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 for Dell Software Configuration Guide
OL-13270-01
Chapter19 Configuring Optiona l Spa nning-Tree Features Understanding Optional Spanning-Tree Features
At the interface level, you enable BPDU guard on any port by using the spanning-tree bpduguard
enable interface configuration command without also enabling the Port Fast feature. When the port
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.
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 r eceiving 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.
Understanding UplinkFast
Switches in hierarchical networks can be grouped into backbone switch es, d istr ibution sw itc hes, an d
access switches. Figure19-2 shows a complex network where distribution switches and access switches
each have at least one redundant link that spanning tree blocks to prevent loops.