I've been trying to test a redundant bridging firewall configuration using
iptables with the bridge netfilter patch.  But I've had some trouble with
the configuration and don't seem to be getting results similar to those in
the Bridge-STP HOWTO.

I've setup two identically configured boxes on redundant paths between two
STP enabled Cisco switches.  Well, actually it is a single switch configured
so that the 4 ports are actually on separate VLANs (one private, one
public).  Logically, it should be the same as having the machines between
two switches.

Kernel:  Redhat 2.4.18-17-8.0
Patch:  bridge-nf-0.0.7

The root bridge has a slightly higher priority than the secondary bridge.
When both machines are brought online the switch blocks the private side
port on the secondary bridge.  I was hoping that the block would instead
occur on the secondary bridge itself, not at the switch.  I've tried
increasing the path cost on the secondary bridge private side port, but this
had no effect on the block.  Any ideas on how to do this?  I'd rather have
the block on my equipment since I don't control the switch directly.

Also, the bridges don't seem to be changing state properly (as I understand
it) during failover.  I've performed the "Kill the Bridge Test" from the
HOWTO by pulling ethernet connections out of the root bridge and then
restoring them.  A topology change is noted on the root bridge, but there
are no neighbor notifications or changes to disabled state.  Also, when the
root bridge is restored failback occurs, but since the ports are already in
forwarding state there is a small network hiccup before the switch detects
the loop and blocks the port.  Normal this wouldn't happen, since the root
bridge should start in the listening/learning state.  Anyone else experience
this or am I misunderstanding the state transitions.  Sorry for not
including more detailed logs, but hopefully this description can spark a few
suggestions.

Any general links to configuring bridges or STP would be appreciated as
well.

Thanks,
Addam
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