Configuring Spanning Tree
Section 12. Configuring Spanning Tree
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) provides tree topography for any arrangement of bridges. STP also provides a sin- gle path between end stations on a network, eliminating loops.
Loops occur when alternate routes exist between hosts. Loops in an extended network can cause bridges to for- ward traffic indefinitely, resulting in increased traffic and reducing network efficiency.
The device supports the following STP versions:
•Classic STP — Provides a single path between end stations, avoiding and eliminating loops. For more infor- mation on configuring Classic STP, see Defining Classic Spanning Tree.
•Rapid STP — Detects and uses network topologies that provide faster convergence of the spanning tree, without creating forwarding loops. For more information on configuring Rapid STP, see Defining Rapid Span- ning Tree.
•Multiple STP — Provides various load balancing scenarios. For example, if port A is blocked in one STP instance, the same port can be placed in the Forwarding State in another STP instance. For more information on configuring Multiple STP, see Defining Multiple Spanning Tree.
This section contains the following topics:
•Defining Classic Spanning Tree
•Defining STP on Interfaces
•Defining Rapid Spanning Tree
•Defining Multiple Spanning Tree
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