FREE STP Advanced Features and Variants Questions and Answers
In Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), what is the primary advantage of mapping VLANs to MST instances?
MSTP allows multiple VLANs to be mapped to a single MST instance, reducing the number of STP instances required and improving network scalability. This approach simplifies management and reduces the overhead associated with running multiple STP instances. MSTP does not directly impact VLAN encryption or convergence times for all VLANs.
What does the concept of "Bridge Assurance" in STP aim to accomplish?
Bridge Assurance ensures that BPDUs are regularly sent on all ports to confirm that the port is still part of the STP topology. If a port stops receiving BPDUs, it may indicate that the port is not participating correctly in STP, which could be due to network issues or misconfigurations. Bridge Assurance does not focus on compliance or consistency.
What is the purpose of "Loop Guard" in STP?
Loop Guard helps to prevent alternate and backup ports from mistakenly transitioning to a designated port role due to changes in the network topology, which could potentially cause network loops. It does not focus on device authentication, configuration changes, or adjusting STP timers.
What is the function of BPDU Guard in STP?
BPDU Guard is used to prevent BPDUs from being sent or received on ports that are expected to be connected to end devices rather than other switches. This helps to protect against accidental or malicious STP configuration changes from edge devices. BPDU Guard does not automatically configure STP parameters or speed up convergence.
What is the primary benefit of using Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) over the traditional Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)?
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) offers faster convergence compared to traditional STP by improving the transition times between port states. This quickens the process of reconfiguring the network after a topology change or failure. RSTP does not inherently support multiple VLANs (which is handled by MSTP), allow for complex topologies, or reduce switch redundancy.