Avatar of Barry Fields
Barry Fields
Flag for United States of America asked on

Root bridge promotion/demotion

I have several issues in my layer2 topology. This is a mixed switch environment (Dell and Cisco). Presently one of my Dell switches is the root bridge, and I want to promote the Cisco switch ( where my servers are attached) to the root bridge. I also have some protocol mismatches;
1. the cisco switches have LLDP, CDP and fast spanning tree running.
2. the dell switches have only spanning tree running.

I have ethernet ports flapping (going up and down) on every switch. What would be the best approach to clear these issues.
DellCiscoSwitches / HubsNetworking

Avatar of undefined
Last Comment
Barry Fields

8/22/2022 - Mon
noci

Spanning tree & Fast Spanning tree are compatible. Fast works on interface change, regular updates in intervals. (30 seconds).... same BDPU's are user / vlan.
If all switches are Fast convergence of the network state will be quicker (within seconds) in stead of on 45 second average.

First find out why the ports are flapping.    Which ports and what is connected. Are both sides on those ports configured the same way.
Portflaps are mostly with either broken hardware or mis configured devices.    (auto is often not a wise choice, port-channels preferably fixed / static config).
Ensure VLAN's are consistently defined &  connected.
Don Johnston

Presently one of my Dell switches is the root bridge, and I want to promote the Cisco switch ( where my servers are attached) to the root bridge.

Here's the problem:  Cisco's STP implementation is propiretary PVSTP (or PVRSTP).  As in "Per VLAN".  IIRC, Dell only supports IEEE STP's (common or mono spanning-tree)  Which means Dell and Cisco don't play well together.  

In multi-vendor environments, I use 802.1s (MSTP).  

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/lan-switching/spanning-tree-protocol/24248-147.html
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Barry Fields

THIS SOLUTION ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
See Pricing Options
Start Free Trial
GET A PERSONALIZED SOLUTION
Ask your own question & get feedback from real experts
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
Experts Exchange has (a) saved my job multiple times, (b) saved me hours, days, and even weeks of work, and often (c) makes me look like a superhero! This place is MAGIC!
Walt Forbes