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.
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.
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
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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.