Spanning Tree Protocol Flashcards
What is Distributed Switching?
It’s a virtual switch that is configured to span multiple physical hosts. It provides connectivity to virtual machines that are located on different hosts
Which IEEE specification describes the Spanning Tree Protocol enabled by default in most switches?
IEEE 802.1D
IEEE 802.1w is the specifications for what?
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol RSTP
What two steps does the spanning tree algorythm use to eliminate loops?
1) creates a topology database
2) searches and destroys redundant links
What do switches transmit to discover links?
Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs)
A port state of BLOCKING does what?
Just listens to BPDUs. Does not forward frames
When a switch powers up, what is the default port state?
Blocking state
In what port state does the following happen:
Listens and processes BPDUs on Root Ports and Designated Ports only
All other ports remain BLOCKED
Does NOT update the MAC table
Does NOT forward Frames
Listening State
If a switch port is listening to BPDU’s
populating MAC address table
Doesn’t forward frames
What state is it in?
Learning state
In Forwarding mode, a switch port does what?
Sends and receives all frames AND STILL learns MAC addresses
What is switch convergence?
When all ports of bridges and switches have transitioned to either forwarding or blocking modes.
The original STP protocol 802.1D had a convergence time of how long?
50 seconds
Which 802 standard was an update to STP?
802.1w. Rapid STP
What is forward delay and how long is the default value?
Forward delay is the time it takes to transition a port from listening to learning mode
15seconds
How long is STP convergence time?
50 seconds
