Over the past few weeks I’ve been working with HP switches so I decided I would extend my series on LACP trunking to include HP switches. In my lab I used HP 2810 switches which are dated but the concepts are the same for any of the newer HPE switch equipment. I cabled the HP switches to a pair of Cisco 2950s, you may noticed that I’ve changed some of the ports I’m using from the previous lab examples (check the diagram).
I noticed while working on setting up this lab that the MST digest between the Cisco and HP switches didn’t match. After some quick research it appears that the Cisco 2950s I have in the lab operate with a pre standard MST operation. Other Cisco switches identify them as such and are interoperable but you may have issues with third-party devices that are expecting the 802.1s standard. You can see both digests from the Cisco 3750 below and they match both the Cisco 2950 and the HP 2810 switches.
C3750-SW1#show spanning-tree mst configuration digest Name [AcmeNetworks] Revision 1 Instances configured 3 Digest 0x6DA4B50C4FD587757EEF0356753605E1 Pre-std Digest 0x421D7D23BF9562A0C35E46CA1BE8A75C
Example Topology

You’ll notice the HP switches at the bottom of the diagram. It was pretty straight forward but here’s what I needed to do.
Cisco Catalyst 2950 Switch 1 & 2
First we needed to configure the ports on the Cisco 2950s that would be connected to the HP switches. I used Port Channel 3 for this and enabled LACP;
interface fas0/15 switchport mode trunk channel-protocol lacp channel-group 3 mode active interface fas0/16 switchport mode trunk channel-protocol lacp channel-group 3 mode active
HP 2810 Switch 1 & 2
Now we need to configure the HP switches, VLANs, IP addressing, ports, trunking, MST, etc;
vlan 100 name "192-168-100-0/24" vlan 200 name "192-168-200-0/24" vlan 100 ip address 192.168.100.70 255.255.255.0 exit spanning-tree spanning-tree config-name "AcmeNetworks" spanning-tree config-revision 1 spanning-tree instance 1 vlan 100 spanning-tree instance 2 vlan 200 trunk 1,13 trk1 lacp trunk 23,24 trk2 lacp vlan 100 tagged trk1 vlan 200 tagged trk1 vlan 100 tagged trk2 vlan 200 tagged trk2
That’s all well and good but I’m sure you want to see the output… is it working as expected? Well let’s check it out.
Cisco Catalyst 2950 Switch 1
We can see from the data below that LACP has established to the HP switch and Spanning Tree is working as expected;
C2950-SW1#show lacp neighbor
Flags:  S - Device is requesting Slow LACPDUs
        F - Device is requesting Fast LACPDUs
        A - Device is in Active mode       P - Device is in Passive mode
Channel group 1 neighbors
Partner's information:
                  LACP port                        Oper    Port     Port
Port      Flags   Priority  Dev ID         Age     Key     Number   State
Fa0/1     SA      32768     0064.40cf.4d80  24s    0x3     0x102    0x3D
Fa0/2     SA      32768     0064.40cf.4d80  17s    0x3     0x103    0x3D
Channel group 2 neighbors
Partner's information:
                  LACP port                        Oper    Port     Port
Port      Flags   Priority  Dev ID         Age     Key     Number   State
Fa0/31    SA      32768     0018.ba8e.4a40  22s    0x2     0x1F     0x3D
Fa0/33    SA      32768     0018.ba8e.4a40   3s    0x2     0x21     0x3D
Channel group 3 neighbors
Partner's information:
                  LACP port                        Oper    Port     Port
Port      Flags   Priority  Dev ID         Age     Key     Number   State
Fa0/15    SA      0         0026.f1df.f400  21s    0x32    0x18     0x3D
Fa0/16    SA      0         0026.f1df.f400  21s    0x32    0x17     0x3D
C2950-SW1#show spanning-tree
MST00
  Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
  Root ID    Priority    16384
             Address     3475.c732.a400
             Cost        0
             Port        65 (Port-channel1)
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
  Bridge ID  Priority    32768  (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 0)
             Address     0019.2faa.49c0
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface        Role Sts Cost      Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1              Root FWD 100000    128.65   P2p
Po2              Altn BLK 100000    128.66   P2p
Po3              Desg FWD 100000    128.67   P2p Bound(RSTP)
MST01
  Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
  Root ID    Priority    16385
             Address     54e0.322a.d441
             Cost        120000
             Port        65 (Port-channel1)
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
  Bridge ID  Priority    32769  (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 1)
             Address     0019.2faa.49c0
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface        Role Sts Cost      Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1              Root FWD 100000    128.65   P2p
Po2              Altn BLK 100000    128.66   P2p
Po3              Boun FWD 100000    128.67   P2p Bound(RSTP)
MST02
  Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
  Root ID    Priority    16386
             Address     0064.40cf.4d80
             Cost        100000
             Port        65 (Port-channel1)
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
  Bridge ID  Priority    32770  (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 2)
             Address     0019.2faa.49c0
             Hello Time   2 sec  Max Age 20 sec  Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface        Role Sts Cost      Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1              Root FWD 100000    128.65   P2p
Po2              Altn BLK 100000    128.66   P2p
Po3              Boun FWD 100000    128.67   P2p Bound(RSTP)
C2950-SW1#show spanning-tree mst configuration digest
Name      [AcmeNetworks]
Revision  1
Instance  Vlans mapped
--------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
0         1-99,101-199,201-4094
1         100
2         200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digest    421D7D23BF9562A0C35E46CA1BE8A75C
Cisco Catalyst 2950 Switch 2
We can see from the data below that LACP has established to the HP switch and Spanning Tree is working as expected;
C2950-SW2#show lacp neighbor
Flags:  S - Device is requesting Slow LACPDUs
        F - Device is requesting Fast LACPDUs
        A - Device is in Active mode       P - Device is in Passive mode
Channel group 1 neighbors
Partner's information:
LACP port Oper Port Port
Port Flags Priority Dev ID Age Key Number State
Fa0/47 SA 32768 0064.40cf.4d80 2s 0x4 0x130 0x3D
Fa0/48 SA 32768 0064.40cf.4d80 25s 0x4 0x131 0x3D
Channel group 2 neighbors
Partner's information:
LACP port Oper Port Port
Port Flags Priority Dev ID Age Key Number State
Fa0/31 SA 32768 0019.2faa.49c0 27s 0x2 0x1F 0x3D
Fa0/33 SA 32768 0019.2faa.49c0 19s 0x2 0x21 0x3D
Channel group 3 neighbors
Partner's information:
LACP port Oper Port Port
Port Flags Priority Dev ID Age Key Number State
Fa0/15 SA 0 0026.f1e1.41a0 29s 0x32 0x17 0x3D
Fa0/16 SA 0 0026.f1e1.41a0 0s 0x32 0x18 0x3D
C2950-SW2#show spanning-tree
MST00
Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
Root ID Priority 16384
Address 3475.c732.a400
Cost 0
Port 65 (Port-channel1)
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Bridge ID Priority 32768 (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 0)
Address 0018.ba8e.4a40
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface Role Sts Cost Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1 Root FWD 100000 128.65 P2p
Po2 Desg FWD 100000 128.66 P2p
Po3 Desg FWD 100000 128.67 P2p Bound(RSTP)
MST01
Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
Root ID Priority 16385
Address 54e0.322a.d441
Cost 120000
Port 65 (Port-channel1)
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Bridge ID Priority 32769 (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 1)
Address 0018.ba8e.4a40
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface Role Sts Cost Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1 Root FWD 100000 128.65 P2p
Po2 Desg FWD 100000 128.66 P2p
Po3 Boun FWD 100000 128.67 P2p Bound(RSTP)
MST02
Spanning tree enabled protocol mstp
Root ID Priority 16386
Address 0064.40cf.4d80
Cost 100000
Port 65 (Port-channel1)
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Bridge ID Priority 32770 (priority 32768 sys-id-ext 2)
Address 0018.ba8e.4a40
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Interface Role Sts Cost Prio.Nbr Type
---------------- ---- --- --------- -------- --------------------------------
Po1 Root FWD 100000 128.65 P2p
Po2 Desg FWD 100000 128.66 P2p
Po3 Boun FWD 100000 128.67 P2p Bound(RSTP)
C2950-SW2# show spanning-tree mst configuration digest
Name [AcmeNetworks]
Revision 1
Instance Vlans mapped
-------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
0 1-99,101-199,201-4094
1 100
2 200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digest 421D7D23BF9562A0C35E46CA1BE8A75C
HP 2810 Switch 1
HP-SW1# show lacp
                           LACP
   PORT   LACP      TRUNK     PORT      LACP      LACP
   NUMB   ENABLED   GROUP     STATUS    PARTNER   STATUS
   ----   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
   1      Active    Trk1      Up        Yes       Success
   13     Active    Trk1      Up        Yes       Success
   23     Active    Trk2      Up        Yes       Success
   24     Active    Trk2      Up        Yes       Success
HP-SW1# show cdp neighbors
 CDP neighbors information
  Port Device ID                     | Platform                     Capability
  ---- ----------------------------- + ---------------------------- -----------
  1    00 26 f1 e1 41 a0             | ProCurve J9021A Switch 28... S
  13   00 26 f1 e1 41 a0             | ProCurve J9021A Switch 28... S
  23   C2950-SW1                     | Cisco Internetwork Operat... S
  24   C2950-SW1                     | Cisco Internetwork Operat... S
HP-SW1# show spanning-tree
 Multiple Spanning Tree (MST) Information
  STP Enabled   : Yes
  Force Version : MSTP-operation
  IST Mapped VLANs : 1
  Switch MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  Switch Priority    : 32768
  Max Age  : 20
  Max Hops : 20
  Forward Delay : 15
  Topology Change Count  : 332
  Time Since Last Change : 53 mins
  CST Root MAC Address : 3475c7-32a400
  CST Root Priority    : 16384
  CST Root Path Cost   : 200000
  CST Root Port        : Trk2
  IST Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  IST Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  IST Regional Root Path Cost   : 0
  IST Remaining Hops            : 20
  Root Guard Ports :
  TCN Guard Ports  :
  Protected Ports :
  Filtered Ports :
                  |           Prio             | Designated    Hello
  Port  Type      | Cost      rity  State      | Bridge        Time  PtP Edge
  ----- --------- + --------- ----- ---------- + ------------- ----- --- ----
  2     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  3     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  4     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  5     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  6     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  7     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  8     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  9     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  10    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  11    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  12    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  14    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  15    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  16    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  17    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  18    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  19    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  20    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  21    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  22    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  Trk1            | 20000     64    Forwarding | 0026f1-dff400 2     Yes No
  Trk2            | 200000    64    Forwarding | 00192f-aa49c0 2     Yes No
HP-SW1# show spanning-tree instance 1
 MST Instance Information
  Instance ID : 1
  Mapped VLANs : 100
  Switch Priority         : 32768
  Topology Change Count   : 39
  Time Since Last Change  : 53 mins
  Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  Regional Root Path Cost   : 0
  Regional Root Port        : This switch is root
  Remaining Hops            : 20
                                                           Designated
  Port  Type      Cost      Priority Role       State      Bridge
  ----- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------------
  2     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  3     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  4     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  5     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  6     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  7     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  8     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  9     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  10    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  11    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  12    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  14    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  15    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  16    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  17    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  18    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  19    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  20    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  21    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  22    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  Trk1            20000     128      Designated Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
  Trk2            200000    128      Master     Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
HP-SW1# show spanning-tree instance 2
 MST Instance Information
  Instance ID : 2
  Mapped VLANs : 200
  Switch Priority         : 32768
  Topology Change Count   : 38
  Time Since Last Change  : 53 mins
  Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  Regional Root Path Cost   : 0
  Regional Root Port        : This switch is root
  Remaining Hops            : 20
                                                           Designated
  Port  Type      Cost      Priority Role       State      Bridge
  ----- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------------
  2     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  3     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  4     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  5     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  6     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  7     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  8     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  9     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  10    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  11    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  12    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  14    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  15    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  16    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  17    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  18    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  19    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  20    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  21    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  22    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  Trk1            20000     128      Designated Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
  Trk2            200000    128      Master     Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
HP-SW1# show spanning-tree mst-config
 MST Configuration Identifier Information
  MST Configuration Name : AcmeNetworks
  MST Configuration Revision : 1
  MST Configuration Digest : 0x6DA4B50C4FD587757EEF0356753605E1
  IST Mapped VLANs : 1
  Instance ID Mapped VLANs
  ----------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  1           100
  2           200
HP 2810 Switch 2
HP-SW2# show lacp
                           LACP
   PORT   LACP      TRUNK     PORT      LACP      LACP
   NUMB   ENABLED   GROUP     STATUS    PARTNER   STATUS
   ----   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
   1      Active    Trk1      Up        Yes       Success
   13     Active    Trk1      Up        Yes       Success
   23     Active    Trk2      Up        Yes       Success
   24     Active    Trk2      Up        Yes       Success
HP-SW2# show cdp neighbors
 CDP neighbors information
  Port Device ID                     | Platform                     Capability
  ---- ----------------------------- + ---------------------------- -----------
  1    00 26 f1 df f4 00             | ProCurve J9021A Switch 28... S
  13   00 26 f1 df f4 00             | ProCurve J9021A Switch 28... S
  23   C2950-SW2                     | Cisco Internetwork Operat... S
  24   C2950-SW2                     | Cisco Internetwork Operat... S
HP-SW2# show spanning-tree
 Multiple Spanning Tree (MST) Information
  STP Enabled   : Yes
  Force Version : MSTP-operation
  IST Mapped VLANs : 1
  Switch MAC Address : 0026f1-e141a0
  Switch Priority    : 32768
  Max Age  : 20
  Max Hops : 20
  Forward Delay : 15
  Topology Change Count  : 65
  Time Since Last Change : 66 mins
  CST Root MAC Address : 3475c7-32a400
  CST Root Priority    : 16384
  CST Root Path Cost   : 200000
  CST Root Port        : Trk1
  IST Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  IST Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  IST Regional Root Path Cost   : 20000
  IST Remaining Hops            : 19
  Root Guard Ports :
  TCN Guard Ports  :
  Protected Ports :
  Filtered Ports :
                  |           Prio             | Designated    Hello
  Port  Type      | Cost      rity  State      | Bridge        Time  PtP Edge
  ----- --------- + --------- ----- ---------- + ------------- ----- --- ----
  2     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  3     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  4     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  5     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  6     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  7     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  8     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  9     100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  10    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  11    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  12    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  14    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  15    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  16    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  17    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  18    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  19    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  20    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  21    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  22    100/1000T | Auto      128   Disabled   |
  Trk1            | 20000     64    Forwarding | 0026f1-dff400 2     Yes No
  Trk2            | 200000    64    Blocking   | 0018ba-8e4a40 2     Yes No
HP-SW2# show spanning-tree instance 1
 MST Instance Information
  Instance ID : 1
  Mapped VLANs : 100
  Switch Priority         : 32768
  Topology Change Count   : 11
  Time Since Last Change  : 66 mins
  Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  Regional Root Path Cost   : 20000
  Regional Root Port        : Trk1
  Remaining Hops            : 19
                                                           Designated
  Port  Type      Cost      Priority Role       State      Bridge
  ----- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------------
  2     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  3     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  4     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  5     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  6     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  7     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  8     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  9     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  10    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  11    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  12    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  14    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  15    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  16    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  17    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  18    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  19    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  20    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  21    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  22    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  Trk1            20000     128      Root       Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
  Trk2            200000    128      Alternate  Blocking   0026f1-e141a0
HP-SW2# show spanning-tree instance 2
 MST Instance Information
  Instance ID : 2
  Mapped VLANs : 200
  Switch Priority         : 32768
  Topology Change Count   : 10
  Time Since Last Change  : 66 mins
  Regional Root MAC Address : 0026f1-dff400
  Regional Root Priority    : 32768
  Regional Root Path Cost   : 20000
  Regional Root Port        : Trk1
  Remaining Hops            : 19
                                                           Designated
  Port  Type      Cost      Priority Role       State      Bridge
  ----- --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- -------------
  2     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  3     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  4     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  5     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  6     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  7     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  8     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  9     100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  10    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  11    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  12    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  14    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  15    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  16    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  17    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  18    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  19    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  20    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  21    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  22    100/1000T Auto      128      Disabled   Disabled
  Trk1            20000     128      Root       Forwarding 0026f1-dff400
  Trk2            200000    128      Alternate  Blocking   0026f1-e141a0
HP-SW2#  show spanning-tree mst-config
 MST Configuration Identifier Information
  MST Configuration Name : AcmeNetworks
  MST Configuration Revision : 1
  MST Configuration Digest : 0x6DA4B50C4FD587757EEF0356753605E1
  IST Mapped VLANs : 1
  Instance ID Mapped VLANs
  ----------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  1           100
  2           200
Cheers!



