MSTP - Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol
=========================================

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        **What is MSTP?**

        MSTP stands for **Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol**. It is an evolution of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid STP (RSTP) defined in IEEE 802.1s, allowing multiple spanning trees over a single physical network topology.

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        **Why is MSTP useful?**

        * It allows **better load balancing** by enabling multiple VLANs to use different spanning trees.
        * **Improves network redundancy** and fault tolerance.
        * **Reduces convergence time** compared to traditional STP.
        * Helps in **preventing loops** in Layer 2 networks.

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        **How it works?**

        * MSTP groups VLANs into **Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTIs)**.
        * Each instance runs its own STP algorithm over the network.
        * A special region called an **MST Region** defines which VLANs are mapped to which MSTI.
        * Network switches exchange **Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs)** to elect root bridges and build loop-free topologies per instance.

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        **Where is MSTP used?**

        * Large Layer 2 enterprise networks.
        * Data centers where **VLAN segmentation and redundancy** are crucial.
        * Managed switches and enterprise-grade networking equipment.

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        **Which OSI layer does this protocol belong to?**

        * MSTP operates at **Layer 2 (Data Link Layer)** of the OSI model.

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        **IS MSTP windows specific?**

        * No, MSTP is **not Windows-specific**.
        * It is a network protocol implemented in **network switches and routers**, not operating systems.

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        **IS MSTP Linux Specific?**

        * No, MSTP is **not Linux-specific**.
        * However, some Linux-based systems or routers may implement MSTP via networking tools or bridge configurations.

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        **Which Transport Protocol is used by MSTP?**

        * MSTP does **not use transport protocols like TCP or UDP**.
        * It uses **Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs)** directly at Layer 2 over Ethernet frames.

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        **Which Port is used by MSTP?**

        * MSTP does **not use any port numbers**.
        * It uses a **special Ethernet multicast address** to send BPDUs: `01:80:C2:00:00:00`.

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        **Is MSTP using Client server model?**

        * No, MSTP does **not follow a client-server model**.
        * It is a **peer-to-peer protocol** where switches coordinate to manage network topology.

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        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Learnings in this section <MSTP_step1>`

                * :ref:`Terminology <MSTP_step2>`

                * :ref:`Version Info <MSTP_step3>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Version&IEEE Details <MSTP_step5>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <MSTP_step18>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <MSTP_step19>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Protocol Packet Details <MSTP_step6>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Usecases <MSTP_step7>`

                * :ref:`MSTP Basic Features <MSTP_step8>`
                    
                * :ref:`Reference links <MSTP_step17>`


.. _MSTP_step1:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section

        * In this section, you are going to learn

.. _MSTP_step2:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Terminology
        
       * Terminology


.. _MSTP_step3:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Version Info
    
         * Version Info


.. _MSTP_step5:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: MSTP Version&RFC Details

        * rfc details

.. _MSTP_step18:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: MSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4

       * setup

.. _MSTP_step19:

.. tab-set::
  
   .. tab-item:: MSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6

     * setup
       
.. _MSTP_step6:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: MSTP Protocol Packet Details

        * packet details
       


.. _MSTP_step7:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: MSTP Usecases

       * usecases
        
        

.. _MSTP_step8:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: MSTP Basic Features
    
        * features 



.. _MSTP_step17:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Reference links
     
       * Reference links