MSTP or RPVST

[alfredobosca]

Hello,

After focus on in CCIE R&S writen, I have found out that in big environments is recommended use MSTP so Switch only will send a unique BPDU per instance. In the other hand, if we use RPVST will be send one BPDU per VLAN.

In my case I have a environment with 100 VLANs and 300 Switches.

Best regards,

[Mark Malone]

Hi

Yes 1 bpdu per vlan in pvst , use your core switches as the root when using pvst , once your STP domain is stable and not constantly seeing changes either will work , MST has its benefits of working with other vendors such as Dell and HP if required as pvst is proprietary  , it depends on your infrastructure of what you need and your choice of what your familiar with too

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Even with 100 VLANs and 300 switches, you're probably alright using PVST if you use the rapid variant.  You could monitor/check CPU load on the switches.

Two things to also keep in mind, frame/packet forwarding on switches is generally supported by dedicated hardware, so CPU load often doesn't matter.  CPU processes are often also prioritized, so important tasks usually obtain the CPU they need, when then need it.

However, using MSTP should reduce whatever CPU is being created by PVST and as also noted by Mark, it's more likely to work with other vendors (whose equipment often support MSTP and/or common STP [i.e. not per VLAN]).