Chapter 45 Spanning Tree Protocol
XMG1915 Series User’s Guide
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blocking state to forwarding state so as to eliminate transient loops.
Multiple STP
Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (IEEE 802.1s) is backward compatible with STP/RSTP and addresses the 
limitations of existing spanning tree protocols (STP and RSTP) in networks to include the following 
features:
• One Common and Internal Spanning Tree (CIST) that represents the entire network’s connectivity.
• Grouping of multiple bridges (or switching devices) into regions that appear as one single bridge on 
the network.
• A VLAN can be mapped to a specific Multiple Spanning Tree Instance (MSTI). MSTI allows multiple 
VLANs to use the same spanning tree.
• Load-balancing is possible as traffic from different VLANs can use distinct paths in a region.
45.2  Spanning Tree Protocol Status
The Spanning Tree Protocol status screen changes depending on what standard you choose to 
implement on your network. Click SWITCHING > Spanning Tree Protocol > Spanning Tree Protocol Status 
to see the screen as shown.
Figure 170   SWITCHING > Spanning Tree Protocol > Spanning Tree Protocol Status
This screen differs depending on which STP mode (RSTP or MSTP) you configure on the Switch. This screen 
is described in detail in the section that follows the configuration section for each STP mode. Use the 
Table 128   STP Port States
PORT STATE DESCRIPTION
Disabled STP is disabled (default).
Blocking Only configuration and management BPDUs are received and processed.
Listening All BPDUs are received and processed.
Note: The listening state does NOT exist in RSTP.
Learning All BPDUs are received and processed. Information frames are submitted to the learning process 
but not forwarded.
Forwarding All BPDUs are received and processed. All information frames are received and forwarded.