BCMSN Exam Cram™ 2 (Exam Cram 642-811)

Chapter 4. Spanning Tree Protocol

Terms you'll need to understand:

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and 802.1D

• Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU)

• Bridge identifier

• Port and path costs

• Hello, maximum age, and forward delay timers

• Root and designated ports

• Common Spanning Tree (CST) and Per-VLAN Spanning Tree (PVST)

Techniques you'll need to master:

• Understand the three main functions of a transparent bridge

• Know what BPDUs are used for

• Understand how the root switch is elected and how the root and designated ports are chosen

• Know the states a port goes through when STP is running and how long convergence can take

• Compare and contrast CST and PVST

• Configuring and verifying STP on your Catalyst switch

The need for high reliability and availability in today's networks ...