STP configuration for vmware ESXi

[Shannon_Rowe1]

We have 2x BD8810's in an MLAG configuration, each with connections to VMWare ESXi 5.5 hosts.

Each port to the ESXi host is tagged for multiple VLANs.

What is the correct/recommended spanning tree configuration in this scenario?

I've trawled the forum and the suggestions seem to be to use PVST which I don't want to do as it is Cisco proprietary and there are no Cisco switches. The other suggestion was to configure it as point-to-point which also didn't make sense to me as that is more for uplinks to other switches were BPDU's will be transmitted (not the case with VMWare).

Keen to get the recommended approach and thoughts.

Thanks!
Shannon

[Jeremy_Gibbs]

I suggest using ELRP, especially in a ToR situation where you have servers connected. Why deal with slow STP when ELRP is so much faster?! Sure, STP has it's functionality and use, but to connect redundant links, I don't think STP is needed at all. The only place I run STP is on the two uplink ports I have in a LAG (sharing). That way, if the LAG breaks or LACP-DU don't make it to their destinations, STP will block a link and prevent a loop.

The way I have ELRP setup is... create a "carrier" vlan

If you need help configuring ELRP over an MLAG let me know.

[Shannon_Rowe1]

Hi,

Thanks for that - yes absolutely that is a valid point, we could simple remove STP from the ports altogether.

Thanks,
Shannon