Tag Archives: study

AJSnetworking.com Book Giveaway – MCSA 70-410

Microsoft Windows Server, News, , ,

70-410

I will be giving away my tech book collection here at the blog throughout the month as a thank you to my readers!

The third giveaway is ready – the top-rated 70-410 text for MCSA (Server 2012 R2).

The first reader THAT TRULY NEEDS this book for their studies to respond using the Contact Anthony link at the top of the blog will receive it. You must meet these conditions:

  • Mailing address in the continental US
  • Provide valid full name and mailing address in the email
  • Be a good person 🙂
  • Have not received a free gift from this site prior to this giveaway

I am so glad I can help you in your studies!

Cisco – Migrating from STP to RSTP

CCIE R&S, , ,

CCIE

A frequent CCIE-level written exam topic is STP (PVST+) to RSTP (Rapid-PVST) migrations. This post covers the high points you should be aware of.

Some Quick Notes

  • BackboneFast and UplinkFast are no longer necessary in RSTP environments as the equivalent advantages are built-in to RSTP
  • BPDUs are version 2 in RSTP which is compatible with version 0
  • All ports now send BPDUs and they act as a keepalive mechanism
  • The new port roles are designated, root, alternate, and backup
  • The new port states are forwarding, discarding, and learning
  • The new port types are shared, edge (PortFast), and P2P
  • When an RSTP port receives a legacy BPDU, it reverts back to compatible behavior and performance enhancement benefits are lost
  • BackboneFast is configured on all switches in order to function in STP and UplinkFast is configured on access layer devices

Migrating

  • You are not forced into removing the BackboneFast and UplinkFast commands – if they are left in place, they do not impact the operation of RSTP
  • Removing the Uplinkfast command impacts the bridge priority and port cost values, so be sure you consider this
  • CatOS (FLASHBACK!) does not permit the BackboneFast command within RSTP so you must remove it in that legacy case
  • Plan a phased migration and use a maintenance window as traffic flows can be impacted
  • The configuration of the features such as PortFast, BPDUguard, BPDUfilter, root guard, and loopguard are applicable in rapid-PVST+ mode also