The obvious benefit of using STP (or any flavor of it) is that it protects the layer2 network from loops. What is a loop... see a cat or dog video of it chasing it's own tail.. now watch it non-stop !
The short coming of having STP (or any flavor of it) ON on a port that is connecting to someone else's network device is... they can create a Loop and thus signal the upstream devices to block the port... obviously this is a bad thing. The fun part of STP (sarcastically speaking) is that for most devices it does not report to the system logs, and one has to issue a separate command to see what is the status. But the stuff that can catch a service provider off guard, from the left field is that.... some devices e.g. Cisco's, will listen and react to STP packets from other connected networks, leaving one with a 'wtf look' pulling one's hair out..... Sometimes such conditions can also be created is the upstream puts a loop-back on the port for testing (fiber connections). I have a say that recently I saw strange STP behavior between a MT (CCR) and Netonix switch, where a STP loop was detected, while the configuration clearly suggest that there should not have been a loop. It's like the sharp blunt nose electrician scissors, they are awesome at clipping wires, clipping tie wraps, blunt nose is good... but it is also very easy to cut your hand with them if you don't use them properly.... :) Faisal Imtiaz Snappy Internet & Telecom 7266 SW 48 Street Miami, FL 33155 Tel: 305 663 5518 x 232 Help-desk: (305)663-5518 Option 2 or Email: [email protected] > From: "George Skorup" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 4:06:11 PM > Subject: Re: [AFMUG] stp > Lots of switch vendors and even MikroTik (in the 6.37 branch, IIRC) support > loop > protection. If all you care about is stopping a loop, then use that. Use STP > if > you need its functionality. > On 10/25/2016 1:16 PM, Josh Reynolds wrote: >> If one of the ports has a loop, it will block only that port. Obviously, >> disable >> STP on uplinks. >> On Oct 25, 2016 1:08 PM, "Chuck McCown" < [email protected] > wrote: >>> But if you only have one upstream connection and you fall, it isn’t going >>> to do >>> anything, right? >>> From: Josh Reynolds >>> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 12:01 PM >>> To: [email protected] >>> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] stp >>> STP is a safety net. Its not doing much unless you fall. >>> On Oct 25, 2016 12:44 PM, "Chuck McCown" < [email protected] > wrote: >>>> How can STP being enabled help anything if you are not using it? >>>> From: Josh Luthman >>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 10:10 AM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] stp >>>> I just learned the other day thanks to Steve the Mikrotik software bridges >>>> are >>>> (R?) STP by default. >>>> Josh Luthman >>>> Office: 937-552-2340 >>>> Direct: 937-552-2343 >>>> 1100 Wayne St >>>> Suite 1337 >>>> Troy, OH 45373 >>>> On Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 12:07 PM, Bill Prince < [email protected] > >>>> wrote: >>>>> Actually Netonix (one t, no r). I don't know that I would leave it on, >>>>> but I >>>>> don't know how you're using it. >>>>>> https://www.netonix.com/wisp-switch.html >>>>> bp >>>>> <part15sbs{at}gmail{dot}com> >>>>> On 10/25/2016 9:04 AM, Josh Reynolds wrote: >>>>>> Nettonix. >>>>>> You could always leave it on... If your access network is layer2 up to >>>>>> that >>>>>> switch, it could help. >>>>>> On Oct 25, 2016 11:03 AM, "CBB - Jay Fuller" < [email protected] >>>>>> > >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> just discovered on one of our nettronix switches spanning tree protocol >>>>>>> was >>>>>>> enabled. >>>>>>> we've run this switch probably four months - no real side effects - but >>>>>>> i don't >>>>>>> run stp anywhere >>>>>>> else. any reason to leave this on? >>>>>>> thanks
