Stp vs Pvst+

webstd.design · ‎06-17-2009

On cisco switches pvst+ is by default running.Means as soon as you create any vlan single spanning tree instance starts running fot tht particular vlan.

But if i disable pvst+........then switch runs a Common spanning tree instance for all vlans?

what is the difference between pvst and pvst+?

Giuseppe Larosa · ‎06-17-2009

Hello Alexandr,

PVST was a previous version of PVST+ that had problems in dealing with 802.1Q trunks.

PVST+ is supported since catos 4.x

In modern IOS switches the following STP modes are available:

PVST+

Rapid PVST

MST

the last two uses instances that are rapid as per 802.1W standard.

Rapid PVST is simply using a rapid STP instance for each Vlan.

MST 802.1s uses instances for sets of vlans achieving greater scalability at a price of increased management activity.

note:

actually a prestandard MSTP version exist on some IOS versions/platforms.

the global command is

spanning-tree mode xx

You cannot revert to simple CST 802.1D on cisco switches.

But you can have fall back on a per port basis.

Hope to help

Giuseppe

liuguiqing · ‎06-17-2009

PVST was a previous version of PVST+ that had problems in dealing with 802.1Q trunks.

Do you know what problems ?

I have got in trouble with stp ,

but i can't sure it's cause by pvst or not .

Giuseppe Larosa · ‎06-17-2009

Hello Liuquiqinq,

PVST+ has a mechanism that allows to support 802.1Q trunks: it uses a proprietary format for STP BPDU that is not processed by 802.1D standard switches and allows them to reach another cisco switch.

for more details

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps700/products_white_paper09186a00801b49a4.shtml

The older PVST was able to work well only on ISL trunk links.

It is unlike you are using the older PVST because PVST+ is supported since catos 4.x however some problems can happen in a multivendor environment.

Hope to help

Giuseppe