Load Balancing with the Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)

Layer-2 loop prevention through the implementation of the 802.1d Spanning-Tree protocol (also called Rapid Spanning-Tree) has been used for decades by network engineers. However, unless one is using solely Cisco switches in their network, load-balancing of traffic has been impossible. Impossible, that is…until 802.1s Multiple Spanning-Tree Protocol was developed by the IEEE. Through this course, you will become proficient in understanding the Multiple Spanning-Tree Protocol (MSTP) and the various problems that it was designed to solve. You’ll learn how to implement and monitor MSTP on both Cisco and Juniper switches as well as how to manipulate this protocol to achieve traffic load-balancing. You’ll also learn about a Cisco enhancement to MSTP called PVST-Simulation, and how it works when pairing Cisco switches running MSTP with other Cisco switches running PVST+.