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Assessment Title
Rule Text
If STP is used, the Juniper EX switch must be configured to implement Rapid STP, or Multiple STP, where VLANs span multiple switches with redundant links.
Description
Discussion Text
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is implemented on bridges and switches to prevent layer 2 loops when a broadcast domain spans multiple bridges and switches and when redundant links are provisioned to provide high availability in case of link failures. Convergence time can be significantly reduced using Rapid STP (802.1w) instead of STP (802.1d), resulting in improved availability. Rapid STP should be deployed by implementing either Rapid Spanning-Tree Protocol (RSTP) or Multiple Spanning-Tree Protocol (MSTP), the latter scales much better when there are many VLANs.
In cases where VLANs do not span multiple switches, it is a best practice to not implement STP. Avoiding the use of STP will provide the most deterministic and highly available network topology. If STP is required, then review the switch configuration to verify that Rapid STP or Multiple STP has been implemented. RSTP and MSTP are similar, except MSTP is more granular, flexible, and scalable. RTSP and MSTP can be enabled simultaneously, but in general only one STP is configured.
In cases where VLANs do not span multiple switches, it is a best practice to not implement STP. Avoiding the use of STP will provide the most deterministic and highly available network topology. If STP is required, then review the switch configuration to verify that Rapid STP or Multiple STP has been implemented. RSTP and MSTP are similar, except MSTP is more granular, flexible, and scalable. RTSP and MSTP can be enabled simultaneously, but in general only one STP is configured.
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