Andrei Maris

STP and RSTP – Spanning Tree Protocol

STP and RSTP Overview

STP and RSTP Overview

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

Standard IEEE 802.1D
Convergence Time 30-50 seconds
Port States
  • Blocking
  • Listening
  • Learning
  • Forwarding
  • Disabled
BPDU Types
  • Configuration BPDUs
  • Topology Change Notification (TCN) BPDUs
Port Roles
  • Root Port
  • Designated Port
  • Non-Designated Port

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)

Standard IEEE 802.1w
Convergence Time A few seconds
Port States
  • Discarding
  • Learning
  • Forwarding
BPDU Types RSTP BPDUs
Port Roles
  • Root Port
  • Designated Port
  • Alternate Port
  • Backup Port

Ports on a Collision Domain

Port Type Description
Root Port The port with the best path to the root bridge.
Designated Port The port designated to forward packets for a network segment.
Non-Designated Port A port that does not forward packets to prevent loops.
Alternate Port (RSTP) Provides an alternate path to the root bridge, does not forward traffic in normal operation.
Backup Port (RSTP) A backup path to a segment where another switch port is already designated.

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