{"id":552,"date":"2011-05-31T21:41:34","date_gmt":"1999-01-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fir3netwp.gmsrrpobkbd.com\/?p=552"},"modified":"2023-02-04T01:39:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-04T01:39:34","slug":"spanning-tree-protocol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html","title":{"rendered":"Spanning Tree Protocol"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e8dd2afded\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e8dd2afded\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#1_INTRODUCTION\" title=\"1. INTRODUCTION\">1. INTRODUCTION<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#2_ROLES\" title=\"2. ROLES\">2. ROLES<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#3_STATES\" title=\"3. STATES\">3. STATES<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#4_SPANNING_TREE_STEPS\" title=\"4. SPANNING TREE STEPS \n\">4. SPANNING TREE STEPS \n<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Root_Bridge_Election\" title=\"Root Bridge Election\">Root Bridge Election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Root_Port_Election\" title=\"Root Port Election\">Root Port Election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Designated_Port_Election\" title=\"Designated Port Election\">Designated Port Election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Alternative_Port_Election\" title=\"Alternative Port Election\">Alternative Port Election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#5_EXAMPLE\" title=\"5. EXAMPLE\">5. EXAMPLE<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Before_Transition\" title=\"Before Transition\">Before Transition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Port_Election\" title=\"Port Election\">Port Election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#Topology_Summary\" title=\"Topology Summary\">Topology Summary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\/#REFERENCES\" title=\"REFERENCES\">REFERENCES<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_INTRODUCTION\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">1. INTRODUCTION<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_ROLES\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">2. ROLES<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Spanning Tree defines 3 port roles. They are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: upper-alpha;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Port<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Designated Port<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Blocking (Alternative Port)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_STATES\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">3. STATES<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">The following states show in sequential order the various states that a port transitions through once the port is opened.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: upper-alpha;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>Blocking<\/strong> \u2013 As the name suggests the port blocks all traffic and does not participate in frame forwarding \/ receiving. Due to this no MAC address are learnt. Though BPDU`s from neighbouring switches are excepted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>Listening <\/strong>\u2013 The port still cannot forward or receive frames but can receive and send BPDU`s.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>Learning<\/strong> \u2013 Once the port is in the learning state the port starts learning MAC address.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>Forwarding<\/strong> \u2013 When in the forwarding state the port sends\/receives frames and BPDU`s in addition to populating its MAC address table.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>Disabled<\/strong> \u2013 The port is administratively shutdown.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_SPANNING_TREE_STEPS\"><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\"><strong>4. SPANNING TREE STEPS<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Spanning Tree consists of the following steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Bridge election<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Port election<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Designated Port election<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Alternative (Blocking) Port election<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Root_Bridge_Election\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Bridge Election<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">The bridge with the lowest bridge ID is elected as the root bridge. The bridge ID comprises of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Priority number <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">MAC address of bridge<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Example: 32768.00:00:00:00:00:01 \/ [Priority number].[MAC Address]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">During the Root Bridge election process the Priority number is compared first. If the Priority number is equal then the MAC address is then used.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Root_Port_Election\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Port Election<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Each port that has the lowest path cost to the Root Bridge is assigned the role of the root port. The path cost is calculated by the accumulative cost of all paths to the Root Bridge. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Note :<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: upper-alpha;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Root Ports are only assigned to non-root bridges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Each non-root bridge only has 1 root port<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Designated_Port_Election\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Designated Port Election<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Each port with the lowest accumulative path cost to the root bridge is assigned the role of designated port.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Notes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: upper-alpha;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Every segment (path) has one designated port.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Designated Ports are assigned to all bridges (non-root and root).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">In the event of 2 ports having the same path cost the neighbouring switches bridge ID is used. Again the lowest bridge ID wins.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternative_Port_Election\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">Alternative Port Election<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">All remaining ports are set to Alternative and the state transitioned to blocking.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_EXAMPLE\"><\/span><strong>5. EXAMPLE<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Below shows an example of Spanning Tree before and after transition.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Before_Transition\"><\/span><strong>Before Transition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Port_Election\"><\/span><strong>Port Election<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree2.png\" data-lightbox=\"\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree2.avif \"  type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree2.webp \"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree2.png\" height=\"727\" width=\"565\" class=\"alignnone sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Spanning Tree - Before Transition\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 70%;\"  > <\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Topology_Summary\"><\/span><strong>Topology Summary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree3.png\" data-lightbox=\"\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree3.avif \"  type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree3.webp \"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/images_legacy_spanningtree3.png\" height=\"727\" width=\"565\" class=\"alignnone sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Spanning Tree - After Transition\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 70%;\"  > <\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"REFERENCES\"><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';\">REFERENCES<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/wiki\/Spanning_Tree_Protocol\">https:\/\/secure.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/wiki\/Spanning_Tree_Protocol<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. INTRODUCTION The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation. 2. ROLES Spanning Tree defines 3 port roles. They are: Root Port Designated Port Blocking (Alternative Port) 3. &#8230; <a title=\"Spanning Tree Protocol\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fir3net.com\/networking\/concepts\/spanning-tree-protocol.html\" aria-label=\"Read more about Spanning Tree Protocol\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":549,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Spanning Tree Protocol - Fir3net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"1. 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