Spanning-Tree Operation 
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) 
Caution  When you enable MSTP on the switch, the default MSTP spanning tree 
configuration settings comply with the values recommended in the IEEE 
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) standard. Note that inappro-
priate changes to these settings can result in severely degraded network 
performance. For this reason, HP strongly recommends that changing these 
default settings be reserved only for experienced network administrators 
who have a strong understanding of the IEEE 802.1D/w/s standards and 
operation. 
How MSTP Operates 
In the factory default configuration, spanning tree operation is off. Also, the 
switch retains its currently configured spanning tree parameter settings when 
disabled. Thus, if you disable spanning tree, then later re-enable it, the param-
eter settings will be the same as before spanning tree was disabled. The switch 
also includes a “Pending” feature that enables you to exchange MSTP config-
urations with a single command. (Refer to 
“Enabling an Entire MST Region at 
Once or Exchanging One Region Configuration for Another” on page 6-69.) 
Note  The switch automatically senses port identity and type, and automatically 
defines spanning-tree parameters for each type, as well as parameters that 
apply across the switch. Although these parameters can be adjusted, HP 
strongly recommends leaving these settings in their default configurations 
unless the proposed changes have been supplied by an experienced network 
administrator  who has a strong understanding of the IEEE 802.1D/w/s 
standards and operation. 
MST Regions 
All MSTP switches in a given region must be configured with the same VLANs. 
Also, each MSTP switch within the same region must have the same VLAN-to-
instance assignments. (A VLAN can belong to only one instance within any 
region.) Within a region: 
■  All of the VLANs belonging to a given instance compose a single, active 
spanning-tree topology for that instance. 
■  Each instance operates independently of other regions. 
Between regions there is a single, active spanning-tree topology. 
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