Spanning Tree Protocol

Spanning Tree Protocol or more commonly known as the STP is the network protocol that basically ensures that a loop free topology of the network is maintained throughout its operational timings, for any bridged Ethernet Local Area Connection. Therefore it can be said that the basic function of this protocol is to prevent any bridge loops and ensure the broadcast radiation. Along with this feature this technology is equipped with another feature which ensures that there is always a backup link or path present, if the active links fails to work and these back up links are automatic, hence the administrator does not have to worry about enabling or disabling this backup link, as it effected the efficiency of the network, when this job was done manually.

STP or Spanning Tree Protocol basically is a Data Link Layer protocol, and is standardized in the IEEE 802.1D. The main concept behind the working of this protocol is that it creates a spanning tree as suggested by the name within the mesh network of the connected layer 2 bridges, and during the process when this spanning tree is being formed all those links in the network, which are not the part of this spanning tree are shut down, hence, in the end, only one active link is left between two network nodes.

Since the time this technology was first introduced to the networking world, a huge amount of changes have been made to this technology and it has evolved as well as extended to meet the demands of the market and to keep up with the technology change. The following material names the various extensions and evolutions of this original technology. They are RSTP or Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol, PVST or Per-VLAN Spanning Tree, MSTP or Multiple Spanning Tree protocol and lastly there is R-PVST or Rapid Per – VLAN Spanning Tree.