Practice Test Geeks(STP) Spanning Tree Protocol Practice Test
← All STP Flashcard Decks

STP Fundamentals Flashcards

6 cards from real STP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 STP Fundamentals flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary purpose of Spanning Tree Protocol?

    Answer: To prevent Layer 2 switching loops in networks with redundant paths

    STP prevents broadcast storms and MAC table instability by blocking redundant paths in switched networks.

  2. What is a bridge ID in STP?

    Answer: A combination of bridge priority and MAC address used to elect the root bridge

    The bridge ID consists of a priority value and the switches MAC address, determining which switch becomes the root bridge.

  3. What is the root bridge in STP?

    Answer: The switch with the lowest bridge ID that serves as the reference point for all path calculations

    The root bridge is elected based on having the lowest bridge ID and serves as the center of the spanning tree topology.

  4. What are the STP port states in 802.1D?

    Answer: Blocking, Listening, Learning, Forwarding, Disabled

    802.1D STP uses five port states as ports transition from blocking to forwarding.

  5. What is the STP path cost?

    Answer: A value assigned to each port based on link speed, used to determine the best path to the root bridge

    Path cost is inversely related to link speed - faster links have lower costs, making them preferred paths.

  6. How often does the root bridge send BPDUs?

    Answer: Every 2 seconds by default (hello timer)

    The root bridge generates hello BPDUs every 2 seconds, which are relayed by other switches to maintain the spanning tree.