Migrate STP to MSTP

[KennyLamb]

Hello,
We are looking to migrate various sites onto MSTP from legacy STP - currently 4 groups.

Currently STG is used to provide site resiliency via dissimilar links (different speeds, providers, so no MLT).

We are looking to change all to MSTG, but are wary - any pointers, tips to migrate swiftly and seamlessly?

Thanks in advance,

Kenny

[Michael McNamara]

Hi Kenny,

You didn't mention what switches you are using.

It will be a significant undertaking... I've done it on the ERS 8600 by essentially uploading a modified configuration file and rebooting the ERS 8600. The configuration file needs to be exactly right or you'll run into issues.

Cheers!

[KennyLamb]

Hi Michael,

We're using a combination of 8600's & 5650's..

Any pointers on creating the modified config, or process to follow to? We don't have a test facility or anyway of testing this prior.

many thanks,

Kenny

[Michael McNamara]

You can flip on MSTP but what Avaya (or Java Device Manager) fails to tell you is that your configuration will then be invalid so you need to modify the configuration file by placing the VLANs in the proper Spanning Tree group.

config bootconfig flags spanning-tree-mode mstp

In your configuration file (config.cfg) you'll need to modify all your VLANs;

vlan 2 create byport 1 name "192-168-2-0/24" color 1

with something like the following depending on your Spanning Tree configuration;

vlan 2 create byport-mstprstp 0 name "192-168-2-0/24" color 1

I'm not sure what (if any) issues you might experience on the ERS 5600 series, although I believe they too require a reboot - not sure if they require any reconfiguration.

Cheers!

[KennyLamb]

thanks for the pointers - will have a more thorough look through the docs to try and prebuild the config - one of these things, a bit daunting to take on a screw up entire intersite connectivity..!!

Thanks...