STP Profile

The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) eliminates Layer 2 loops in networks, by selectively blocking some ports and allowing other ports to forward traffic, based on global (bridge) and local (port) parameters you can configure.

Creating an STP Profile

To create an STP profile, complete the following steps:

1. In the HPE Aruba Networking Central landing page, click the configurationicon.
   The Profiles tab is displayed.

2. In the left navigation menu, select one of the following options:

   • Library—This is the default selection. If you create profiles in the Library, then you must assign scope and device functions to the profiles. For more information, see Assigning Scope to an STP Profile.

   • Global—If you create profiles at the Global level, then the profiles have Global scope assigned by default.

   • Site Collections—If you create profiles at the Site Collections level, then the profiles have site collection scope assigned by default.

   • Sites—If you create profiles at the Site level, then the profiles have site scope assigned by default.

   • Devices—If you create profiles at the Device level, then the profiles have device scope assigned by default.

   • Device Groups—If you create profiles at the Device Group level, then the profiles have device group scope assigned by default.

   Note:

   • To create profiles at the Global level, select the device type from the Device Function drop-down list before step 4.
   • To create profiles at the Sites, Devices, and Device Group level, complete the following steps before step 4:
     1. Select Site Collection, Site, Device, or Device Group in the left navigation menu.
     2. Select a Site Collection, Site, Device, or Device Group from the list view depending on the level where you are creating the profile.
     3. Select the device type from the Device Function drop-down list.

3. On the VLANs & Networks card, click STP.
   Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

   1. On the VLANs & Networks card, click Manage.

   2. On the STP card, click Manage.
      

   The STP list view is displayed.

4. Click Create Profile.

   The Create Profile side panel is displayed.

5. Enter the following STP profile parameters:

   • Create as a local profile—Select this option if you want to configure this profile as local. The Create as a local profile option is available at the Global, Site Collections, Sites, Devices, and Device Groups levels; it is not available at the Library level.

   • Name—Enter the name of the STP profile.

   • Description—Enter the description for the STP profile.

   • Enable STP—Select the check box to enable STP.

   • Device—Select the device type, Switch or Gateway.

6. For switches, configure the following parameters:

   • Mode—Select one of the following options:

     • MSTP—Ensures that only one active path exists between any two nodes in a spanning-tree instance.

     • RPVST—Enables the creation of a separate spanning tree for each VLAN on a switch, and ensures that only one active, loop-free path exists between any two nodes on a given VLAN.

   • Under Advanced, configure the following advanced parameters:

     • BPDU Guard Enable Timer(in seconds)—Specify the time for how long the port stays disabled after BPDU Guard is triggered. Once this timer expires, the port automatically tries to re-enable itself.

     • Path Cost Type—Select the spanning tree path cost type. The available options are:

       • Long—Uses the spanning tree path cost type as a 32-bit value.

       • Short—Uses the spanning tree path cost type as a 16-bit value.

     • Transmit Hold Count—Specify the maximum number of STP BPDUs that the switch can send per second from an interface. Use the slider to set a value from 1 to 10. The default value is 6.

     • Traps—Select one or more checkboxes to enable SNMP traps for the following options:

       • Errant BPDU—Enables SNMP notification when an errant BPDU is received on any PVST VLAN of the switch.

       • Loop Guard Inconsistency—Enables SNMP notification when Loop Guard detects a port inconsistency on any PVST VLAN of the switch.

       • New Root—Enables SNMP notification when a new root bridge is elected on any PVST VLAN of the switch.

       • Root Guard Consistency—Enables SNMP notification when Root Guard detects a port inconsistency on any PVST VLAN of the switch.

     • Region—Enter the name of the region.

     • Config Revision—Specify the configuration revision number. This number tracks changes to the STP configuration.

     • Forward Delay—Specify the forward delay time in seconds. This configures the time the switch waits between transitions from listening to learning and from learning to forwarding states. Default: 15 seconds. Range: 4-30.

     • Hello Timer—Specify the hello timer interval in seconds. This configures the transmission interval between consecutive Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDU) that the switch sends as a root bridge. Default: 2 seconds. Range: 2-10.

     • Maximum Age—Set the maximum age timer, which specifies the maximum age value that the switch inserts in outbound BPDU packets it sends as a root bridge. Maximum age is the interval, specified in the BPDU, that BPDU data remains valid after its reception. Range: 6 to 40 seconds. Default: 20 seconds.

     • Maximum Hops—Specify the max hop setting that the switch inserts into BPDUs that it sends out as the root bridge. The maximum hop setting determines the number of bridges in an MST region that a BPDU can traverse before it is discarded. Range: 1 to 40. Default: 20.

     • Reset timers to default—Select the checkbox to restore all STP timer settings such as hello timer, forward delay, and maximum age back to their default values.

     • Topology Change Trap for Default Instance—Select the checkbox to enable SNMP notification when a topology change occurs in the default STP instance.

     • Default Instance Priority— Specify the priority for the default instance as a multiplier. This configures the switch (bridge) priority for the designated region in which the switch resides. Range: 0 to 15. Default value for MSTP: 8.

     • Ignore PVID Inconsistency—Select the checkbox to allow RPVST+ to ignore per‑VLAN ID (PVID) mismatches and continue processing packets instead of blocking the link. This field is applicable only for RPVST.

     • Extend System ID—Select the checkbox to enable use of the extended system ID, which includes the VLAN ID in spanning tree packets. This option is enabled by default and displayed only in RPVST mode.

     • RPVST MSTP Interconnect-VLAN—Select the VLAN from the drop‑down list to be used for interconnecting RPVST and MSTP domains. Default: 1. This field is displayed only for the RPVST mode.

7. To add an MSTP instance, click + in the MSTP Instance table and configure the following parameters:

   • Instance ID—Specify the MSTP instance ID.

   • VLAN—Specify the VLAN ID. This creates a new instance with the VLAN mapped to it.

   • Priority—Specify the priority as a multiplier. This configures the switch (bridge) priority for the designated region in which the switch resides. Range: 0 to 15. Default: 8.

   • Topology Change Trap—Under Advanced, select the checkbox to enable notifications that are sent when a topology change occurs in the instance.

8. Under RPVST Mode, select how RPVST is enabled and managed on the device. The available options are:

   • Auto RPVST (Include VLANs)—Automatically enables RPVST for all VLANs. The system will detect and apply RPVST to every VLAN configured on the switch. This option specifies a list of VLANs for which STP is enabled with higher precedence. This configuration is useful in scenarios where Port restrictions apply. By using this option, you can designate prioritized VLANs to ensure proper STP functionality. With this mode selected, specify Auto RPVST Priority that will be automatically assigned to all VLANs when Auto RPVST mode is enabled. Range: 0 to 15. Default: 8.

     • To add auto RPVST VLANs, click + in Auto RPVST (Include VLANs) table and configure the following parameters:

       • VLAN

       • Priority

       • Forward Delay

       • Hello Timer

       • Maximum Age

       • Topology Change Trap

     • Exclude VLANs—Specify VLANs that should not use RPVST. These VLANs will be excluded from Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree operation.

   • Manual RPVST—Manually enable or disable RPVST on selected VLANs. Use this mode to specify exactly which VLANs use RPVST. To add manually, click + in the Manual RPVST table and configure the following parameters:

     • VLAN

     • Priority

     • Forward Delay

     • Hello Timer

     • Maximum Age

     • Topology Change Trap

9. For gateways, configure the following parameters:

   • Mode—Select one of the following options:

     • RSTP—RSTP takes advantage of point-to-point links and provides rapid convergence of the Spanning Tree. RSTP is enabled by default on all gateway devices. RSTP provides rapid convergence when interfaces are configured as either edge ports or point-to-point links.

     • RPVST—Rapid-PVST provides load-balancing of VLANs across multiple ports, resulting in optimal usage of network resources. Rapid-PVST also ensures interoperability with industry-accepted Rapid-PVST protocols. Rapid-PVST is disabled by default.

   • Priority—Specify a value for priority to determine if a bridge must act as a root. Range: 0 to 15. Default value for RSTP: 8. Default value for RPVST: 7.

     Forward Delay—Specify the number of seconds that the port must spend in listening and learning states before forwarding packets. This field is applicable only for RSTP. Default: 15 seconds. Range: 4-30.

   • Hello Timer—Specify a keep alive interval for BPDU. This field is applicable only for RSTP. Default: 2 seconds. Range: 2-10.

   • Maximum Age—Set the maximum age timer, which specifies the maximum age value that the gateway inserts in outbound BPDU packets it sends as a root bridge. Maximum age is the interval, specified in the BPDU, that BPDU data remains valid after its reception. This field is applicable only for RSTP. Range: 6 to 40 seconds. Default: 20 seconds.

10. Click Create to create the STP profile.

11. To edit a profile, complete the following steps:

    1. Click anywhere on the row of the profile in the list view.
       
       The profile edit view is displayed in the side panel.

    2. Edit the required parameters.

    3. Click Update.

12. To delete a STP profile, hover on the profile name, and click the delete icon.

13. To search for a profile, type the profile name in the search bar.
    The search bar displays dynamic results as soon as you start typing.

Assigning Scope to an STP Profile

For profiles created under Library, you must assign a scope and device function to be able to use its features and functionality.

To assign scope to a profile, complete the following steps:

1. In the HPE Aruba Networking Central landing page, click the configurationicon.
   The Profiles tab is displayed.

2. Ensure that the default option Library is selected in the left navigation menu.

3. On the VLANs & Networks card, click STP.

   Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

   1. On the VLANs & Networks card, click Manage.

   2. On the STP card, click Manage.

   The STP list view is displayed.

4. Hover on the profile to which you want to assign a scope and click the ellipsis icon.

5. Select Assign.

   The Assign Profile side panel is displayed.

6. Select the device types from Device Function list.

7. To add a scope, click the Add icon on the Scopes table.

8. Select a scope from the following Scope Level options in the drop-down list.

   • Global—Selecting this option assigns the scope at the Global level.

   • Site Collections—Select the site collections from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Sites—Select the sites from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Devices—Select the devices from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Device Groups—Select the device groups from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

9. Click Add.

   The Scopes table displays the newly added scopes.
   

10. Click Assign.

    The STP list displays the device functions and number of scopes assigned to the profile.

11. To unassign a scope from a profile, complete the following steps:

    1. Hover on the profile name and click the ellipsis icon.

    2. Select Unassign.

    3. Select the required scope and click Unassign.

12. To customize the STP profile list, click the Customize Columns icon . For more information, see Customizing List.