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Questions tagged [stp]

The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network.

The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation. Spanning tree also allows a network design to include spare (redundant) links to provide automatic backup paths if an active link fails, without the danger of bridge loops, or the need for manual enabling/disabling of these backup links.

STP is a Data Link Layer protocol. It is standardized as IEEE 802.1D. As the name suggests, it creates a spanning tree within a mesh network of connected layer-2 bridges (typically Ethernet switches), and disables those links that are not part of the spanning tree, leaving a single active path between any two network nodes.

STP is based on an algorithm invented by Radia Perlman while working for Digital Equipment Corporation.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanning_Tree_Protocol

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What does Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) do?

Someone please explain what Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) actually does in layman's terms. I know it can cause problems with some network gear, but that's the extent of my knowledge.
username
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HP to Cisco spanning tree root flapping

Per a recent question I recently configured both my HP (2x 2900) and Cisco (1x 3750) hardware to use MSTP for interoperability. I thought this was functional until I applied the change to the third device (HP switch 1 below) at which time the…
Tim Brigham
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What benefits are there to enabling STP on a WiFi access point?

Our network switches have STP enabled, and I see that my APs have an option to enable STP as well. The purpose of STP is to prevent network path loops, but the AP only has one connection back to the switch, and only one connection to each client.…
Bigbio2002
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Optimal performance settings for Spanning Tree Protocol (802.1d) for LAN (gaming) environment

The topic covers a few topics, so I would try to break this down further as means to provide more information as well as gain a better understanding about the technology. First some background - we are running a local LAN Party with a lot of…
Ivan Peevski
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Best way to provide redundant switching/links to server

We have 3x ESX hosts and 2x SANS that we wish to move to a redundant 10G networking infrastructure. We have 4x Dell PowerConnect 8024F's to provide our backbone and are configured as so (only core switches relevant to this question): So the…
Myles Gray
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Inexplicable STP Behaviour

I have a problem with a couple of Dell PowerConnect 6248 switches (latest firmware) connected to a pair of external (3rd party) switches providing Internet connectivity via HSRP. I'll post more detailed configuration when I get time, but briefly…
Chris McKeown
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KVM and bridge_stp setting

In which situation one should enable the bridge_stp for the host bridge when using KVM? Is it worth keeping it disabled when not needed?
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Windows network bridge: STP parameters

I recently discovered Windows 7 does support STP upon it's own Ethernet bridges. https://reggle.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/hidden-feature-in-windows-7-spanning-tree/ Although the feature is barely documented by Microsoft, can this work practically…
Hhut
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Linux bridge redundancy

I make heavy use of Linux Bridges (brctl) as I have a Xen environment. At the minute, only one physical NIC is connected to the bridge (There are many virtual NICs for the Xen VMs though). In order to get some redundancy working, what steps would I…
jtnire
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Use Cat5 or Cat6, UTP or STP in Data Center?

I'm about to buy cables for our first data center install. It's all Gigabit Ethernet. Should we use Cat5 or Cat6, UTP or STP?
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What is the relation between a VLAN and STP

I want to know the relation between VLAN and STP protocol.Since STP is running over each port,how VLANs associated with this.Also I want to know the MIB which gives the data regarding STP for a particular VLAN.
JavaUser
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STP on network with one switch

If a network has only one switch, does STP take place ? Also, if it does, do the ports of the switch become designated ? Thank you.
coredump
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Does it make sense to enable STP if I have only one managed switch?

Does it make sense to enable STP if i have only one managed switch maintaining STP in the network ? I have a tree topology with the root Main Managed switch, connected with the router ( router is out of my hands). All other switches are unmanaged…
Temak
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How should I connect a redundant switch arrangement to the rest of the network?

My servers all have two NICs and I have two Ethernet switches (A and B) dedicated to the servers, in a redundant configuration. I have configured the NICs with bonding (Linux) or teaming (ESXi), and this seems to work fine -- I can turn off a switch…
Dan
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What variant of STP is implemented in the Linux kernel?

(moved to SF from NEng on moderator's request) We are developing some switch management software on top of Debian 10, Linux kernel 4.19. We are using Linux bridges (offloaded to proprietary hardware through switchdev) to do layer 2 switching. There…
Einheri
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