Configure STP Settings

Use this task to configure Spanning Tree settings.

  1. For STP Mode, select one of the following:
    • STP: Uses a single spanning tree without regard to VLANs. After convergence, only the root bridge sends configuration BPDUs, and other switches only relay those BPDUs.
    • RSTP (Rapid STP): Uses a single spanning tree without regard to VLANs. After convergence, all switches send BPDUs every two seconds in the event of a physical link failure.
    • MSTP (Multiple STP): Can map a group of VLANs into a single multiple spanning tree instance (MSTI). MSTP uses BPDUs to exchange information between spanning-tree compatible devices, to prevent loops in each MSTI by selecting active and blocked paths.
  2. Select an STP Bridge Priority from the drop-down list.
    Every switch taking part in spanning tree has a bridge priority. The switch with the lowest priority becomes the root bridge. If there's a tie, the switch with the lowest bridge ID number wins. The ID number is typically derived from a MAC address on the switch.
  3. Set the following STP Timers parameters:

    Forward Delay: The time the switch spends in the listening and learning state.

    Max Age: The maximum time before a bridge port saves its configuration BPDU information.