STP

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 9:33 AM

STP INTRO

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a loop-prevention network protocol that allows for redun
802.1D is the original IEEE MAC Bridging standard for STP. This is explained in the diagram
which sends it to PC2, PC3, and S1. S1 sends it to PC4 and S3. S3 then sends the packet ba
send packets in the case of a network failure, the switch simply changes the path the pac

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The Spanning Tree

STP was invented by Radia Perlman while working for Digital Equipment Corporation, and
creates a loop-free topology by selecting a single root bridge where all other switches dete
blocked ports are the ones that STP determines to be less efficient, and in the case of any
ndancy while creating a loop-free Layer 2 topology. IEEE
m below. Basically, when PC 1 sends a packet, it is sent to S2,
ack to S2, which creates a loop that STP avoids. STP can also
cket takes.

witch, redundant networks help the switch function in

ork failure, but this redundancy also causes a loop,
in MAC address table instability, link saturation, and
zation on switches and end-devices, resulting in the
ming unusable. Broadcast, unknown unicast, and
mes are affected by the looping, which can bring down a
(known as a broadcast storm).

e Algorithm
it was soon published. Her spanning tree algorithm (STA)
ermine a single least-cost path(most efficient path). The
interface failing, a blocked path opens.
STP was invented by Radia Perlman while working for Digital Equipment Corporation, and
creates a loop-free topology by selecting a single root bridge where all other switches dete
blocked ports are the ones that STP determines to be less efficient, and in the case of any

Steps to a Loop-Fre
During STA and STP functions, switches use Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to shar
to elect the root bridge, root ports, designated ports, and alternate ports. Each BPDU c
The BID is involved in making many of the STA decisions including root bridge and port
the MAC address of the switch, and an extended system ID. The lowest BID value is det
it was soon published. Her spanning tree algorithm (STA)
ermine a single least-cost path(most efficient path). The
interface failing, a blocked path opens.

ee Topology
re information about themselves and their connections. BPDUs are used
contains a bridge ID (BID) that identifies which switch sent the BPDU.
t roles. As shown in the figure below, the BID contains a priority value,
termined by the combination of these three fields.

• Bridge Priority- All cisco switches have a default value of 32768,

there is a range of 0-61440(increments of 4096). A value of 0 takes
precedence over any other value
• Extended System ID- A decimal
• Bridge Priority- All cisco switches have a default value of 32768,
there is a range of 0-61440(increments of 4096). A value of 0 takes
precedence over any other value
• Extended System ID- A decimal