Technical Information
asked on
Spanning Tree Configuration
Best way to configure spanning tree on HP Procurve switches
What switch should be the root? Best Practice?
Thanks
What switch should be the root? Best Practice?
Thanks
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Should the Root not be the layer 3 node?
That depends. More often than not it ends up at the layer 3 edge but that isn't by a "thou shalt". Your root needs to be located at your highest traffic path, at the point of exit between layer2/3 and LAN/WAN or on the beefiest layer 2 device in your network. What you are attempting to do is two fold. First, you are trying to insure the fastest path between nodes/networks, whether this is host to host, LAN to LAN or LAN to WAN/other is a determination that is made based on your actual traffic patterns. I've designed networks where it has made more sense to have the root standing in the core of the data center architecture, where there was tons of traffic running node to node inside a common VLAN, across multiple bridges. I've also built the root at the edge of LAN side, right up against a firewall being used for boundary services. Same way with LAN to WAN, etc. You have to look at the traffic pattern.
The second thing you are attempting to do is to limit the impact to the STP topology in the event of a topology change. This is where you start looking at the guts of the equipment itself to determine root primary and secondaries.
Hope that helps.
The second thing you are attempting to do is to limit the impact to the STP topology in the event of a topology change. This is where you start looking at the guts of the equipment itself to determine root primary and secondaries.
Hope that helps.
Chapter 8 Configuring Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Advanced STP Features