Spanning-Tree Operation 
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) 
an instance by using a port trunk. The following example shows how you can 
use a port trunk with 802.1Q (tagged) VLANs and MSTP without unnecessarily 
blocking any links or losing any bandwidth. 
Problem: 
An MST instance with two 
separate (non-trunked) 
links blocks a VLAN link. 
Solution: 
Configure one trunked 
link for the two VLAN 
memberships. 
Nodes 1 and 2 cannot 
communicate because 
MSTP is blocking the link. 
Nodes 1 and 2 can communicate because the 
MST instance sees the trunk as a single link and 
802.1Q (tagged) VLANs enable the use of one 
(trunked) link for both VLANs. 
Figure 6-27.  Example of Using a Trunked Link To Support Multiple VLAN 
Connectivity within the Same MST Instance 
Note  All switches in a region should be configured with the VLANs used in that 
region, and all ports linking MSTP switches together should be members of 
all VLANs in the region. Otherwise, the path to the root for a given VLAN will 
be broken if MSTP selects a spanning tree through a link that does not include 
that VLAN. 
Terminology 
Bridge: See “MSTP Bridge”. 
Common and Internal Spanning Tree (CIST): Comprises all LANs, STP, 
and RSTP bridges and MSTP regions in a network. The CIST automatically 
determines the MST regions in a network and defines the root bridge (switch) 
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