Spanningtree root switch

[hmc2500]

Would like to know which switch is best to make the root switch. I'm debating between SW3 and SW1.

SW1 in our MDF will be the L3 switch. SW3 is an intermediate switch for fiber. All switches will be MS225s except SW3 which will be MS130 or MS390.

Thanks.

[aleabrahao]

Which one is your core? The network core will always be the STP root. In your case, I believe it is SW3.

[aleabrahao]

Sorry now I read that SW1 will be L3, so it must be Root in that case.

[hmc2500]

Can you have the L3 and root on different switches?

I was thinking as far as quicker STP convergence, SW3 would maybe be better?

[aleabrahao]

It is not a good practice, I personally have seen some problems happen, so avoid it.

[hmc2500]

SW3 will have no endpoints connected just fiber links to the other switches because of the distance.

[aleabrahao · Accepted solution]

For best practices, the Root of the topology should be your network core or whatever the network's L3 is.

[Jeremy_Meraki]

Hi @hmc2500!

I wanted to echo what @alessandrodematos has already recommended with our documentation indicating that the root bridge would typically be the core switch

[MerakiGnome]

Hi @hmc2500 , switch 1 where your SVIs are configured should be your Root

[Philip D'Ath]

I would fundamentally change your design. I would not plug two switches into an MX.

Choose one switch to be the core, make it the spanning tree root, and then plug all other switches into it.

[hmc2500]

I agree but that's not something that we can change easily. The wiring was already done and the long distances between LDFs and MDF would make it very expensive.

[Philip D'Ath]

If only we could live in a perfect world. 🙂

I understand.

[Philip D'Ath]

I would make SW3 the spanning tree root.