Spanning-Tree Operation 
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) 
and designated port for each region. The CIST includes the Common Spanning 
Tree (CST), the Internal Spanning Tree (IST) within each region, and any 
multiple spanning-tree instances (MSTIs) in a region. 
Common Spanning Tree (CST): Refers to the single forwarding path the 
switch calculates for STP (802.1D) and RSTP (802.1w) topologies, and for 
inter-regional paths in MSTP (802.1s) topologies. Note that all three types of 
spanning tree can interoperate in the same network. Also, the MSTP switch 
interprets a device running 802.1D STP or 802.1w RSTP as a separate region. 
(Refer to figure 5-25 on page 47.) 
Internal Spanning Tree (IST): Comprises all VLANs within a region that 
are not assigned to a multiple spanning-tree instance configured within the 
region. All MST switches in a region should belong to the IST. In a given region 
“X”, the IST root switch is the regional root switch and provides information 
on region “X” to other regions. 
MSTP (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol): A network supporting MSTP 
allows multiple spanning tree instances within configured regions, and a 
single spanning tree among regions, STP bridges, and RSTP bridges. 
MSTP BPDU (MSTP Bridge Protocol Data Unit): These BPDUs carry 
region-specific information, such as the region identifier (region name and 
revision number). If a switch receives an MSTP BPDU with a region identifier 
that differs from its own, then the port on which that BPDU was received is 
on the boundary of the region in which the switch resides. 
MSTP Bridge: In this manual, an MSTP bridge is a Series 2610 or 2610-PWR 
Switch (or another 802.1s-compatible device) configured for MSTP operation. 
MST Region: An MST region forms a multiple spanning tree domain and is a 
component of a single spanning-tree domain within a network. For switches 
internal to the MST region: 
■  All switches have identical MST configuration identifiers (region name 
and revision number). 
■  All switches have identical VLAN assignments to the region’s IST and 
(optional) MST instances. 
■  One switch functions as the designated bridge (IST root) for the region. 
■  No switch has a point-to-point connection to a bridging device that cannot 
process RSTP BPDUs. 
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