Briefly explain why we need to use Spanning Tree Protocol to shut down specific ports when we have redundant connections in a Layer 2 network.
Try an answer before revealing the guidance below.
Key Concepts
- Redundant paths
- Ethernet loops
- Broadcast storms
- Blocked ports
Answer Approach
- Show what happens to a frame on a loop without a hop limit.
- Consider the effect on switch MAC tables.
- Explain the loop-free active topology.
Full Answer
Answer status: Verified against study notes. Revision notes, not an official marking scheme.
Redundant switch links create cycles. Ethernet frames have no link-layer hop limit, so broadcasts and unknown-destination frames can loop and multiply, and MAC tables can flap. Spanning Tree blocks selected ports to form a loop-free active tree while keeping redundant links available for recovery.
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