Want to propergate vLan information across multiple switches?
Easy in the Cisco world… Just use VTP – configure a server switch and your away… (it also has its risks if you introduce another server switch with a lower ID)
What does HP have? — GVRP (MVRP newer iteration).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_Registration_Protocol
Multiple VLAN Registration Protocol (MVRP), which replaced GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP), is a standards-based Layer 2 network protocol, for automatic configuration of VLAN information on switches. It was defined in the 802.1ak amendment to 802.1Q-2005.
MSTP – nice blog on its inner workings here – http://blog.ine.com/2010/02/22/understanding-mstp/