13 mstp configuration, Overview, Introduction to stp – H3C Technologies H3C S7500E Series Switches User Manual
Page 153: Why stp, 1 introduction to stp, Mstp configuration
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MSTP Configuration
The S7500E Series Ethernet Switches are distributed devices supporting Intelligent Resilient
Framework (IRF). Two S7500E series can be connected together to form a distributed IRF device. If
an S7500E series is not in any IRF, it operates as a distributed device; if the S7500E series is in an
IRF, it operates as a distributed IRF member device. For introduction of IRF, refer to IRF Configuration
Guide
.
This chapter includes these sections:
Remotely Configuring MSTP for an ONU
Displaying and Maintaining MSTP
Overview
As a Layer 2 management protocol, the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) eliminates Layer 2 loops by
selectively blocking redundant links in a network, and in the mean time, allows for link redundancy.
Like many other protocols, STP evolves as the network grows. The later versions of STP are the Rapid
Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and the Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP). This chapter
describes the characteristics of STP, RSTP, and MSTP and the relationship among them.
Introduction to STP
Why STP
STP was developed based on the 802.1d standard of IEEE to eliminate loops at the data link layer in a
local area network (LAN). Devices running this protocol detect loops in the network by exchanging
information with one another and eliminate loops by selectively blocking certain ports to prune the loop
structure into a loop-free tree structure. This avoids proliferation and infinite cycling of packets that
would occur in a loop network and prevents decreased performance of network devices caused by
duplicate packets received.