MST (Multiple Spanning Tree)

MST Overview

MST (Multiple Spanning Tree) is the version of STP that allows multiple VLANs to a single instance. It is the standard based protocol defined with IEEE 802.1s. You can also check the definition of MST on Wiki, here. The MST configuration example will be explained on MST Configuration Lesson.

In normal STP (CST) and RSTP, STP process runs for whole the devices in all VLANs. In PVST+ and  RPVST+, STP process runs for a specific VLAN. These two approaches has their advantages and disadvantages. For example, for whole network, having only one STP can cause convergence problems. Or, if you have many VLANs and for each VLAN, using a specific STP instance can be require more resources.

MST (Multiple Spanning Tree) is overcoming these limitations and disadvantages and provide arbitrary instance for a number of VLANs. You can group VLANs in a specific instance with MST. For example, if you have ten VLANs. You can group four of them in instance one and the rest six of them in instance two. If you have too much VLANs as a large company, MST will be more advantageous for your company.

MST Region, MSTI, IST, CIST

MST region is the group of the swithes that has the same MST configurations. These configurations are:

• Region name
• Revision number
• MST Instance – Vlan Assignment Map

Each MST region can have Maximum 65 MST Instances (MSI). These instances can be a value from 1 to 4094. Here, the Instance 0 called IST (Internal Spanning Tree) and it is a special instance for each MST Region. All the VLANs are assigned to IST by default. After you assign any VLAN to another instance, after that, this instance is the member of that instance.

MSTIs are local for an MST Region. So, a same MSTI can exist on an another MST Region.

CIST is the mechanism that interconnects all the MST regions and the other STP domains.

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