56
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MSTP prunes a loop network into a loop-free tree, which avoids proliferation and endless
cycling of packets in a loop network. In addition, it supports load balancing of VLAN data by
providing multiple redundant paths for data forwarding.
MSTP basic concepts
shows a switched network that comprises four MST regions, each MST region comprising
four MSTP devices.
shows the networking topology of MST region 3.
Figure 16 Basic concepts in MSTP
MST region 1
MST region 2
MST region 3
MST region 4
VLAN 1 MSTI 1
VLAN 2 MSTI 2
Other VLANs MSTI 0
VLAN 1 MSTI 1
VLAN 2 MSTI 2
Other VLANs MSTI 0
VLAN 1 MSTI 1
VLAN 2 MSTI 2
Other VLANs MSTI 0
VLAN 1 MSTI 1
VLAN 2&3 MSTI 2
Other VLANs MSTI 0
CST