Spanning-Tree Operation 
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) 
MSTP Structure 
MSTP maps active, separate paths through separate spanning tree instances 
and between MST regions. Each MST region comprises one or more MSTP 
switches. Note that MSTP recognizes an STP or RSTP LAN as a distinct 
spanning-tree region. 
IST 
Instance 
MSTI 
(Optional) 
MSTI 
(Optional) 
IST 
Instance 
MSTI 
(Optional) 
MSTI 
(Optional) 
MSTI 
(Optional) 
Switch 
Running STP 
Switch 
Running STP 
Switch 
Running STP 
Switch 
Running RSTP 
Switch 
Running RSTP 
Switch 
Running RSTP 
Common Spanning Tree (CST) 
MST Region 
MST Region 
Common and Internal Spanning Tree (CIST) 
Figure 6-25.  Example of MSTP Network with Legacy STP and RSTP Devices 
Connected 
Common and Internal Spanning Tree (CIST): The CIST identifies the 
regions in a network and administers the CIST root bridge for the network, 
the root bridge for each region, and the root bridge for each spanning-tree 
instance in each region. 
Common Spanning Tree (CST): The CST administers the connectivity 
among the MST regions, STP LANs, and RSTP LANs in a bridged network. 
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