18-12
Cisco IE 3010 Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-23145-01
Chapter 18 Configuring MSTP
Understanding RSTP
Bridge Protocol Data Unit Format and Processing
The RSTP BPDU format is the same as the IEEE 802.1D BPDU format except that the protocol version
is set to 2. A new 1-byte Version 1 Length field is set to zero, which means that no version 1 protocol
information is present. Table 18-3 shows the RSTP flag fields.
The sending switch sets the proposal flag in the RSTP BPDU to propose itself as the designated switch
on that LAN. The port role in the proposal message is always set to the designated port.
The sending switch sets the agreement flag in the RSTP BPDU to accept the previous proposal. The port
role in the agreement message is always set to the root port.
The RSTP does not have a separate topology change notification (TCN) BPDU. It uses the topology
change (TC) flag to show the topology changes. However, for interoperability with IEEE 802.1D
switches, the RSTP switch processes and generates TCN BPDUs.
The learning and forwarding flags are set according to the state of the sending port.

Processing Superior BPDU Information

If a port receives superior root information (lower switch ID, lower path cost, and so forth) than currently
stored for the port, the RSTP triggers a reconfiguration. If the port i s proposed and is selected as the new
root port, RSTP forces all the other ports to synchronize.
If the BPDU received is an RSTP BPDU with the proposal flag set, the switch sends an agreement
message after all of the other ports are synchronized. If the BPDU is an IEEE 802.1D BPDU, the switch
does not set the proposal flag and starts the forward-delay timer for the p ort. The new root port requires
twice the forward-delay time to transition to the forwarding state.
If the superior information received on the port causes the port to become a backup or alternate port,
RSTP sets the port to the blocking state but does not send the agreement messa ge. The designated port
continues sending BPDUs with the proposal flag set until the forward-delay timer expires, at which time
the port transitions to the forwarding state.
Tab l e 18-3 RSTP BPDU Flags
Bit Function
0Topology change (TC)
1Proposal
2–3:
00
01
10
11
Port role:
Unknown
Alternate port
Root port
Designated port
4Learning
5Forwarding
6Agreement
7Topology change acknowledgement (TCA)