Spanning Tree Working and Convergence
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) works by creating a logical topology of the network and selecting a root bridge, which becomes the central point for the spanning tree. All other switches in the network are connected to the root bridge through one or more paths, and STP ensures that only one path is active while the others are blocked.
STP uses a set of rules to determine which path to the root bridge is the best path. The path with the lowest path cost is selected as the active path, and all other paths are blocked. The path cost is calculated based on the speed of the link, with faster links having lower path costs.
STP also uses a process called convergence to dynamically adjust the network topology in response to changes, such as link failures or additions. When a link fails, the switch connected to that link sends a BPDU (Bridge Protocol Data Unit) message to all other switches in the network to inform them of the change. Each switch then recalculates the spanning tree and selects a new active path.
Convergence in STP can take several seconds, during which time the network may experience packet loss or delay. To address this issue, newer versions of STP, such as Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), have been developed to provide faster convergence times and improve network performance. RSTP uses a faster convergence mechanism called “rapid convergence,” which can converge in less than a second after a topology change. MSTP provides even faster convergence times by allowing multiple spanning trees to be configured on a single switch, each with its own root bridge and active paths.
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