Example: Configuring Faster Convergence and Improving Network Stability with RSTP on EX Series Switches
EX Series switches use Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) to provide a loop-free topology. RSTP identifies certain links as point to point. When a point-to-point link fails, the alternate link can transition to the forwarding state. RSTP provides better reconvergence time than original STP because it uses protocol handshake messages rather than fixed timeouts. Eliminating the need to wait for timers to expire makes RSTP more efficient than STP.
This example describes how to configure RSTP on four EX Series switches:
Requirements
This example uses the following hardware and software components:
- JUNOS Release 9.0 or later for EX Series switches
- Four EX Series switches
Before you configure the switches for RSTP, be sure you have:
- Installed the four switches. See Connecting and Configuring an EX Series Switch (J-Web Procedure).
- Performed the initial software configuration on all switches. See Installing and Connecting an EX3200 or EX4200 Switch.
Overview and Topology
In this example, four EX Series switches are connected in the topology displayed in Figure 1 to create a loop-free topology.
Figure 1: Network Topology for RSTP
The interfaces shown in Table 1 will be configured for RSTP.
![]() |
Note: You can configure RSTP on logical or physical interfaces. This example shows RSTP configured on logical interfaces. |
Table 1: Components of the Topology for Configuring RSTP on EX Series Switches
This configuration example creates a loop-free topology between four EX Series switches using RSTP.
An RSTP topology contains ports that have specific roles:
- The root port is responsible for forwarding data to the root bridge.
- The alternate port is a standby port for the root port. When a root port goes down, the alternate port becomes the active root port.
- The designated port forwards data to the downstream network segment or device.
- The backup port is a backup port for the designated port. When a designated port goes down, the backup port becomes the active designated port and starts forwarding data.
![]() |
Note: You also can create a loop-free topology between the aggregation layer and the distribution layer using redundant trunk links. For more information about configuring redundant trunk links, see Example: Configuring Redundant Trunk Links for Faster Recovery. |
Configuring RSTP on Switch 1
To configure RSTP on Switch 1, perform these tasks:
CLI Quick Configuration
To quickly configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 1, copy the following commands and paste them into the switch terminal window:
[edit]
set vlans voice-vlan
description “Voice VLAN”
set vlans voice-vlan
vlan-id 10
set vlans employee-vlan
description “Employee VLAN”
set vlans employee-vlan
vlan-id 20
set vlans guest-vlan
description “Guest VLAN”
set vlans guest-vlan
vlan-id 30
set vlans camera-vlan
description “Camera VLAN”
set vlans camera-vlan
vlan-id 40
set interfaces ge-0/0/13
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge–0/0/9
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge–0/0/11
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge–0/0/13
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/9
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/11
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set protocols rstp
bridge-priority 16k
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/13.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/13.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/9.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/9.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/11.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/11.0 mode point-to-point
Step-by-Step Procedure
To configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 1:
- Configure the VLANs voice-vlan, employee-vlan, guest-vlan, and camera-vlan:
[edit vlans]
user@switch1# set voice-vlan description “Voice VLAN”
user@switch1# set voice-vlan vlan-id 10
user@switch1# set employee-vlan description “Employee VLAN”
user@switch1# set employee-vlan vlan-id 20
user@switch1# set guest-vlan description “Guest VLAN”
user@switch1# set guest-vlan vlan-id 30
user@switch1# set camera-vlan description “Camera VLAN”
user@switch1# set guest-vlan vlan-id 40
- Configure the VLANs on the interfaces, including
support for the Ethernet Switching protocol:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/13 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/9 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/11 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
- Configure the port mode for the interfaces:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/13 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/9 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch1# set ge-0/0/11 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk - Configure RSTP on the switch:
[edit protocols]
user@switch1# rstp bridge-priority 16k
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/13.0 cost 1000
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/13.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/9.0 cost 1000
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/9.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/11.0 cost 1000
user@switch1# rstp interface ge-0/0/11.0 mode point-to-point
Results
Check the results of the configuration:
- user@switch1> show configuration
- interfaces {
-
- ge-0/0/13 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/9 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/11 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
- }
- protocols {
-
- rstp {
-
- bridge-priority 16k;
-
- interface ge-0/0/13.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/9.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/11.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
- }
- }
- }
- vlans {
-
- voice-vlan {
- vlan-id 10;
- }
-
- employee-vlan {
- vlan-id 20;
- }
-
- guest-vlan {
- vlan-id 30;
- }
-
- camera-vlan {
- vlan-id 40;
- }
- }
Configuring RSTP on Switch 2
To configure RSTP on switch 2, perform these tasks:
CLI Quick Configuration
To quickly configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 2, copy the following commands and paste them into the switch terminal window:
[edit]
set vlans voice-vlan
description “Voice VLAN”
set vlans voice-vlan
vlan-id 10
set vlans employee-vlan
description “Employee VLAN”
set vlans employee-vlan
vlan-id 20
set vlans guest-vlan
description “Guest VLAN”
set vlans guest-vlan
vlan-id 30
set vlans camera-vlan
description “Camera VLAN”
set vlans camera-vlan
vlan-id 40
set interfaces ge-0/0/14
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/18
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/14
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/18
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set protocols rstp
bridge-priority 32k
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/14.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/14.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/18.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/18.0 mode point-to-point
Step-by-Step Procedure
To configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 2:
- Configure the VLANs voice-vlan, employee-vlan, guest-vlan, and camera-vlan:
[edit vlans]
user@switch2# set voice-vlan description “Voice VLAN”
user@switch2# set voice-vlan vlan-id 10
user@switch2# set employee-vlan description “Employee VLAN”
user@switch2# set employee-vlan vlan-id 20
user@switch2# set guest-vlan description “Guest VLAN”
user@switch2# set guest-vlan vlan-id 30
user@switch2# set camera-vlan vlan-description “Camera VLAN”
user@switch2# set guest-vlan vlan-id 40
- Configure the VLANs on the interfaces, including
support for the Ethernet Switching protocol:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch2# set ge-0/0/14 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch2# set ge-0/0/18 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
- Configure the port mode for the interfaces:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch2# set ge-0/0/14 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch2# set ge-0/0/18 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk - Configure RSTP on the switch:
[edit protocols]
user@switch2# rstp bridge-priority 32k
user@switch2# rstp interface ge-0/0/14.0 cost 1000
user@switch2# rstp interface ge-0/0/14.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch2# rstp interface ge-0/0/18.0 cost 1000
user@switch2# rstp interface ge-0/0/18.0 mode point-to-point
Results
Check the results of the configuration:
- user@switch2> show configuration
- interfaces {
-
- ge-0/0/14 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/18 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
- }
- protocols {
-
- rstp {
-
- bridge-priority 32k;
-
- interface ge-0/0/14.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/18.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
- }
- }
- }
- vlans {
-
- voice-vlan {
- vlan-id 10;
- }
-
- employee-vlan {
- vlan-id 20;
- }
-
- guest-vlan {
- vlan-id 30;
- }
-
- camera-vlan {
- vlan-id 40;
- }
- }
Configuring RSTP on Switch 3
To configure RSTP on switch 3, perform these tasks:
CLI Quick Configuration
To quickly configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 3, copy the following commands and paste them into the switch terminal window:
[edit]
set vlans voice-vlan
description “Voice VLAN”
set vlans voice-vlan
vlan-id 10
set vlans employee-vlan
description “Employee VLAN”
set vlans employee-vlan
vlan-id 20
set vlans guest-vlan
description “Guest VLAN”
set vlans guest-vlan
vlan-id 30
set vlans camera-vlan
description “Camera VLAN”
set vlans camera-vlan
vlan-id 40
set interfaces ge-0/0/26
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/28
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/24
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/26
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/28
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/24
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set protocols rstp
bridge-priority 8k
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/26.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/26.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/28.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/28.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/24.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/24.0 mode point-to-point
Step-by-Step Procedure
To configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 3:
- Configure the VLANs voice-vlan, employee-vlan, guest-vlan, and camera-vlan:
[edit vlans]
user@switch3# set voice-vlan description “Voice VLAN”
user@switch3# set voice-vlan vlan-id 10
user@switch3# set employee-vlan description “Employee VLAN”
user@switch3# set employee-vlan vlan-id 20
user@switch3# set guest-vlan description “Guest VLAN”
user@switch3# set guest-vlan vlan-id 30
user@switch3# set camera-vlan description “Camera VLAN”
user@switch3# set guest-vlan vlan-id 40
- Configure the VLANs on the interfaces, including
support for the Ethernet Switching protocol:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/26 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/28 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/24 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
- Configure the port mode for the interfaces:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/26 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/28 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch3# set ge-0/0/24 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk - Configure RSTP on the switch:
[edit protocols]
user@switch3# rstp bridge-priority 8k
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/26.0 cost 1000
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/26.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/28.0 cost 1000
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/28.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/24.0 cost 1000
user@switch3# rstp interface ge-0/0/24.0 mode point-to-point
Results
Check the results of the configuration:
- user@switch3> show configuration
-
- interfaces {
-
- ge-0/0/26 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/28 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/24 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
- }
- }
- protocols {
-
- rstp {
-
- bridge-priority 8k;
-
- interface ge-0/0/26.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/28.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/24.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
- }
-
- bridge-priority 8k;
-
- }
- }
- }
- }
- vlans {
-
- voice-vlan {
- vlan-id 10;
- }
-
- employee-vlan {
- vlan-id 20;
- }
-
- guest-vlan {
- vlan-id 30;
- }
-
- camera-vlan {
- vlan-id 40;
- }
- }
Configuring RSTP on Switch 4
To configure RSTP on switch 4, perform these tasks:
CLI Quick Configuration
To quickly configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 4, copy the following commands and paste them into the switch terminal window:
[edit]
set vlans voice-vlan
description “Voice VLAN”
set vlans voice-vlan
vlan–id 10
set vlans employee-vlan
description “Employee VLAN”
set vlans employee-vlan
vlan-id 20
set vlans guest-vlan
description “Guest VLAN”
set vlans guest-vlan
vlan-id 30
set vlans camera-vlan
description “Camera VLAN”
set vlans camera-vlan
vlan-id 40
set interfaces ge-0/0/23
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/19
unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
set interfaces ge-0/0/23
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set interfaces ge-0/0/19
unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
set protocols rstp
bridge-priority 16k
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/23.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/23.0 mode point-to-point
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/19.0 cost 1000
set protocols rstp
interface ge-0/0/19.0 mode point-to-point
Step-by-Step Procedure
To configure interfaces and RSTP on Switch 4:
- Configure the VLANs voice-vlan, employee-vlan, guest-vlan, and camera-vlan:
[edit vlans]
user@switch4# set voice-vlan description “Voice VLAN”
user@switch4# set voice-vlan vlan-id 10
user@switch4# set employee-vlan description “Employee VLAN”
user@switch4# set employee-vlan vlan-id 20
user@switch4# set guest-vlan description “Guest VLAN”
user@switch4# set guest-vlan vlan-id 30
user@switch4# set camera-vlan description “Camera VLAN”
user@switch4# set guest-vlan vlan-id 40
- Configure the VLANs on the interfaces, including
support for the Ethernet Switching protocol:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch4# set ge-0/0/23 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
user@switch4# set ge-0/0/19 unit 0 family ethernet-switching vlan members [10 20 30 40]
- Configure the port mode for the interfaces:
[edit interfaces]
user@switch4# set ge-0/0/23 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk
user@switch4# set ge-0/0/19 unit 0 family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk - Configure RSTP on the switch:
[edit protocols]
user@switch4# rstp bridge-priority 16k
user@switch4# rstp interface all cost 1000
user@switch4# rstp interface ge-0/0/23.0 cost 1000
user@switch4# rstp interface ge-0/0/23.0 mode point-to-point
user@switch4# rstp interface ge-0/0/19.0 cost 1000
user@switch4# rstp interface ge-0/0/19.0 mode point-to-point
Results
Check the results of the configuration:
- user@switch4> show configuration
- interfaces {
-
- ge-0/0/23 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
-
- ge-0/0/19 {
-
- unit 0 {
-
- family ethernet-switching {
- port-mode trunk;
-
- vlan {
- members [10 20 30 40];
- }
- }
- }
- }
- }
- protocols {
-
- rstp {
-
- bridge-priority 16k;
-
- interface ge-0/0/23.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
-
- interface ge-0/0/19.0 {
- cost 1000;
- mode point-to-point;
- }
- }
- }
- }
- vlans {
-
- voice-vlan {
- vlan-id 10;
- }
-
- employee-vlan {
- vlan-id 20;
- }
-
- guest-vlan {
- vlan-id 30;
- }
-
- camera-vlan {
- vlan-id 40;
- }
- }
Verification
To confirm that the configuration is working properly, perform these tasks:
- Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 1
- Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 2
- Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 3
- Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 4
Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 1
Purpose
Verify the RSTP configuration on Switch 1.
Action
Use the operational mode command:
user@switch1> show spanning-tree interface
Spanning tree interface parameters for instance 0 Interface Port ID Designated Designated Port State Role port ID bridge ID Cost ge-0/0/13.0 128:527 128:525 16384.0019e25040e0 1000 BLK ALT ge-0/0/9.0 128:529 128:513 32768.0019e2503d20 1000 BLK ALT ge-0/0/11.0 128:531 128:513 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD ROOT
Meaning
Refer to the topology in Figure 1. The operational mode command show spanning-tree interface shows that ge-0/0/13.0 is in a forwarding state. The other interfaces on Switch 1 are blocking.
Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 2
Purpose
Verify the RSTP configuration on Switch 2.
Action
Use the operational mode command:
user@switch2> show spanning-tree interface
Spanning tree interface parameters for instance 0 Interface Port ID Designated Designated Port State Role port ID bridge ID Cost ge-0/0/14.0 128:513 128:513 32768.0019e2503d20 1000 BLK DESG ge-0/0/18.0 128:519 128:515 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD ROOT
Meaning
Refer to the topology in Figure 1. The operational mode command show spanning-tree interface shows that ge-0/0/18.0 is in a forwarding state and the root port. The other interface on Switch 2 is blocking.
Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 3
Purpose
Verify the RSTP configuration on Switch 3.
Action
Use the operational mode commands:
user@switch3> show spanning-tree interface
Spanning tree interface parameters for instance 0 Interface Port ID Designated Designated Port State Role port ID bridge ID Cost ge-0/0/26.0 128:513 128:513 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD DESG ge-0/0/28.0 128:515 128:515 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD DESG ge-0/0/24.0 128:517 128:517 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD DESG
Meaning
Refer to the topology in Figure 1. The operational mode command show spanning-tree interface shows that no interface is the root interface.
Verifying RSTP Configuration on Switch 4
Purpose
Verify the RSTP configuration on Switch 4.
Action
Use the operational mode commands:
user@switch4> show spanning-tree interface
Spanning tree interface parameters for instance 0 Interface Port ID Designated Designated Port State Role port ID bridge ID Cost ge-0/0/23.0 128:523 128:517 8192.0019e25051e0 1000 FWD ROOT ge-0/0/19.0 128:525 128:525 16384.0019e25040e0 1000 FWD DESG
Meaning
Refer to the topology in Figure 1. The operational mode command show spanning-tree interface shows that interface ge-0/0/23.0 is the root interface and forwarding.