Operation Manual â MSTP 
Quidway S3900 Series Ethernet Switches-Release 1510  Chapter 1  MSTP Configuration
 
Huawei Technologies Proprietary 
1-4 
z  A master port connects a MST region to the common root. The path from the 
master port to the common root is the shortest path between the MST region and 
the common root. 
z  A region edge port is located on the edge of an MST region and is used to connect 
the MST region to another MST region, an STP-enabled region or an 
RSTP-enabled region  
z  An alternate port is a backup port of a master port. It becomes the master port if 
the existing master port is blocked. 
z  A loop occurs when two ports of a switch are connected to each other. In this case, 
the switch blocks one of the two ports. The blocked port is a backup port. 
In 
Figure 1-2, switch A, B, C, and D form an MST region. Port 1 and port 2 on switch A 
connect upstream to the common root. Port 5 and port 6 on switch C form a loop. Port 3 
and port 4 on switch D connect downstream to other MST regions. This figure shows 
the roles these ports play. 
 
î  Note: 
z  A port can play different roles in different MSTIs. 
z  The role a region edge port plays is consistent with the role it plays in the CIST. For 
example, port 1 on switch A in 
Figure 1-2 is a region edge port, and it is a master 
port in the CIST. So it is a master port in all MSTIs in the region. 
 
MST  region
C
A
B
D
Port 4
Port 1
Port 2
Connected to the 
common root
EdgePort
Master 
port
Alternate port
Designated 
port
Backup 
port
Port 3
Port 5
Port 6
 
Figure 1-2 Port roles