CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Type text to search here...

Page 1 of 13

Submit Query

Home > Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

June 1st, 2011 Go to comments
To provide for fault tolerance, many networks implement redundant paths between devices using
multiple switches. However, providing redundant paths between segments causes packets to be passed
between the redundant paths endlessly. This condition is known as a bridging loop.
(Note: the terms bridge, switch are used interchangeably when discussing STP)
To prevent bridging loops, the IEEE 802.1d committee defined a standard called the spanning tree
algorithm (STA), or spanning tree protocol (STP). Spanning-Tree Protocol is a link management
protocol that provides path redundancy while preventing undesirable loops in the network. For an
Ethernet network to function properly, only one active path can exist between two stations.
Lets see a situation when there is no loop-avoidance process in operation. Suppose you have two
switches connected with redundant links. One switch connected to PC A and the other switch connected
to PC B.
Now PC A wants to talk to PC B. It then sends a broadcast, say an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
to find out where the location of PC B, the green arrow shows a broadcast frame sent by PC A.
When the switch A receives a broadcast frame, it forwards that frame to all ports except the port where it
receives the request -> SwA forwards that ARP frame out of fa0/0 and fa0/1 ports.

Suppose SwB receives the broadcast frame from fa0/0 first then it will forward that frame to the two
other links ( fa0/1 and fa0/5 of SwB).

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 2 of 13

The other broadcast frame from SwA comes to fa0/1 of SwB so SwB forwards it to fa0/0 and fa0/5.

As you can see, SwA has sent 2 broadcast frames out of its fa0/0 and fa0/1, SwB receives each of them,
creates 2 copies and sends one of them back to SwA (the other is sent to PC B).
When SwA receives these broadcast frames it continues broadcasting them again to its other interfaces,
this will keep going on forever until you shutdown the network. This phenomenon is called a broadcast
storm.
Broadcast storm consumes entire bandwidth and denies bandwidth for normal network traffic. Broadcast
storm is a serious network problem and can shut down entire network in seconds.
Other problems:
Multiple frame transmission: Multiple copies of unicast frames may be delivered to destination
stations. Many protocols expect to receive only a single copy of each transmission. Multiple copies of
the same frame can cause unrecoverable errors. In the above example, if the first frame is not a ARP
broadcast but a unicast and SwA and SwB havent learned about the destination in that frame yet then
they flood the frame on all ports except the originating port. The same phenomenon occurs and PC B
will receive more than one copy of that frame.
MAC Database Instability: MAC database instability results when multiple copies of a frame arrive on
different ports of a switch. We can see it in the above example too when the two ports on SwB (fa0/0
and fa0/1) receive the same frame.
Now you learned about problems when there is no looping-avoidance mechanism running on the
network. All of these problems can be solved with the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
STP prevents loop by blocking one of switchs port. For example, by blocking port fa0/0 of SwA, no
data traffic is sent on this link and the loop in the network is eliminated.

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 3 of 13

But how STP decides which port should be blocked. The whole process is more complex than what is
shown above. We will learn it in the next part.
How Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) works
SPT must performs three steps to provide a loop-free network topology:
1. Elects one root bridge
2. Select one root port per nonroot bridge
3. Select one designated port on each network segment
Now lets have a closer look from the beginning, when you have just turned on the switches
1. Elects one root bridge
A fun thing is that when turned on, each switch claims itself as the root bridge immediately and starts
sending out multicast frames called Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs), which are used to exchange
STP information between switches.

A BPDU contains many fields but there are 4 most important fields for STP to operate correctly:
* The Bridge IDs of the Root Bridge and the Bridge ID of the Transmitting Bridge:
In the initial stage, each switch claims itself as a root bridge so the bridge ID of the root bridge and the
bridge ID of the transmitting bridge are the same.
The Bridge ID is composed of the bridge priority value (0-65535, 2 bytes) and the bridge MAC

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 4 of 13

address (6 bytes).
Bridge ID = Bridge Priority + MAC Address
For example:
+ The bridge priority of SwA is 32768 and its MAC address is 0000.0000.9999 -> the bridge ID of SwA
is 32768:0000.0000.9999
+ The bridge priority of SwB is 32768 and its MAC address is 0000.0000.1111 -> the bridge ID of SwB
is 32768:0000.0000.1111
The root bridge is the bridge with the lowest bridge ID.
To compare two bridge IDs, the priority is compared first. If two bridges have equal priority, then the
MAC addresses are compared. In the above example, both SwA and SwB have the same bridge ID
(32768) so they will compare their MAC addresses. Because SwB has lower MAC address it will
become root bridge.

On the root bridge, all ports are designated ports. Designated ports are in the forwarding state and can
send and receive traffic.
Note: The default bridge priority value is 32768. An administrator can decide which bridge will become
the root bridge by lowering the priority value (thus lowering Bridge ID). For example, we can lower
SwAs bridge priority to 28672(smaller than 32768) to make it root bridge. But notice that the bridge
priority number can be incremented only in step of 4096.
In conclusion, STP decides which switch will become root bridge by comparing the Bridge ID in the
BPDUs. The bridge priorities are compare first; if they are equal then the MAC addresses will be used.
Because each switch has a unique MAC address so surely one root bridge will be elected.
* The cost to reach the root from this bridge (Root Path Cost): This value is set to 0 at the beginning
of STP root bridge election process since all bridges claim to be the root. The cost range is 0-65535.
Link Speed Cost (Revised IEEE Specification) Cost (Previous IEEE Specification)

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

10 Gbps

1 Gbps

100 Mbps

19

10

10 Mbps

100

100

Page 5 of 13

The root path cost is used to elect root port and we will discuss in the next part.
* The Port ID: The transmitting switch port ID, will be discussed later.
2. Select one root port per nonroot bridge
Root port is the port that is closest to the root bridge, which means it is the port that receiving the
lowest-cost BPDU from the root.
Every non-root bridge must have a root port. All root ports are placed in forwarding state.
In the above example, if we suppose the upper link (between two fa0/0 interfaces) are 10Mbps and the
lower link (between two fa0/1 interfaces) is 100Mbps link then fa0/1 of SwA will become root port as it
has lower cost than fa0/0 (cost 19 < cost 100).

3. Select one designated port on each network segment

STP selects one designated port per segment to forward traffic. Other switch ports on the segment
typically become nondesignated ports and are blocked. Therefore interface fa0/0 of SwA will become
nondesignated port (blocking state). In blocking state, although switches cannot send data traffic but can
still receive BPDUs.

Now the network reaches a state called convergence. Convergence in STP occurs when all ports on
bridges and switches have transitioned to either forwarding or blocking states. No data is forwarded until

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 6 of 13

convergence is complete so the time for convergence when network topology changes is very important.
Fast convergence is very desirable in large networks. The normal convergence time is 50 seconds for
802.1D STP (which is rather slow) but the timers can be adjusted.
STP switch port states
When STP is enabled, every switch in the network goes through the blocking state and the transitory
states of listening and learning. The ports then stabilize to the forwarding or blocking state.
* Blocking no user data is sent or received but it may go into forwarding mode if the other links in use
fail and the spanning tree algorithm determines the port may transition to the forwarding state. BPDU
data is still received in blocking state but discards frames, does not learn MAC address.
* Listening The switch processes BPDUs and awaits possible new information that would cause it to
return to the blocking state, discards frames and MAC address.
* Learning receives and transmits BPDUs and learns MAC addresses but does not yet forward frames.
* Forwarding receives and sends data, normal operation, learns MAC address, receives and transmits
BPDUs.
Below is a quick summary of STP states:
State

Can forward data? Learn MAC? Timer

Transitory or Stable State?

Blocking

No

No

Max Age (20 sec)

Stable

Listening

No

No

Forward Delay (15 sec) Transitory

Learning

No

Yes

Forward Delay

Forwarding Yes

Yes

Transitory
Stable

* MaxAge How long any bridge should wait, after beginning to not hear hellos, before trying to
change the STP topology. Usually this is a multiple of the hello time; the default is 20 seconds.
* Forward Delay Delay that affects the time involved when an interface changes from blocking state
to forwarding state. A port stays in listening state and then learning state for the number of seconds
dened by the forward delay. This timer is covered in more depth shortly.
The spanning tree algorithm provides the following benefits:
* Eliminates bridging loops
* Provides redundant paths between devices
* Enables dynamic role configuration
* Recovers automatically from a topology change or device failure
* Identifies the optimal path between any two network devices

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 7 of 13

Now lets take an example using the same network as above but we suppose that the bottom 100Mbps
connection is broken.

When the lower link is broken, SwA must wait for Max Age seconds before it begins to transition fa0/0
interface from blocking to listening state. In listening state it must wait for the Forward Delay seconds to
move to the Learning state. Next it continues waiting for more Forward Delay seconds. If no BPDU is
received, it is then placed in forwarding state. These three waiting periods of (by default) 20, 15, and 15
seconds create STPs relatively slow convergence.
Now lets consider how BPDU are sent when there are 3 switches in the network. Cisco has a good flash
to demonstrate it so please watch it at http://www.cisco.com/image/gif/paws/10556/spanning_tree1.swf
How STP performs when a link fails
Suppose we have a topology with three switches as shown below:

In which SwA is elected the root bridge, the link between SwB and SwC is being blocked. When STP is
converged, the port roles are shown above.
Now suppose the link between SwA and SwB goes down, let us see what and how STP will perform

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 8 of 13

1. First, P1 on SwB immediately goes down and SwB declares its link to SwA as down.
2. SwB considers its link to SwC (which is being blocked) as an alternate link to root port. SwB starts to
transition P2 from the blocking state to listening state -> learning state -> forwarding state. Each of these
stages lasts 15 seconds by default. Therefore port P2 on SwB will be hold blocking for 30 seconds
before the network converges again. This downtime of the network is rather long (although we can tune
the timers to 14 second downtime) and the users can feel it.
The noticeable downtime can be reduced significantly if we use Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).
If you are interested in RSTP, please read my Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol Tutorial.
Comments (120) Comments
Comment pages
Previous 1 2 3 611
1. john
March 8th, 2015
taking test on friday, wish me luck guys. you have to know this stuff backwards and forwards
2. giss
March 9th, 2015
Good Luck!!
3. Shabaz
March 11th, 2015
Guys, need a tip advice for how to memorize the protocols. am not confident enough to appear for
the test yet. thnx..
4. eyemwired
March 16th, 2015
shabaz, 22 has two ss (ssh)
80 i ate the internet (www)
69 my wife tftp
21 1 file please ftp

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 9 of 13

23 bees buzzing telnet

you get the idea
same as osi: please do not throw sausage pizza away
good luck, my test is on friday
5. eyemwired
March 16th, 2015
vlsm is finally clear to my thanx to danscourses on youtube, by far the best out there; note: you
can speed up is voice by clicking on the gear in the lower right of youtube window; he may talk a
little too slow but the guy knows how to explain things !!!!
6. HELEN
June 24th, 2015
HI CAN ANY ONE SEND THIS Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial Premium Tutorial,
BECAUSE iam not member i cant see it and read it , thanks. tst05024@gmail.com
7. pratz
July 28th, 2015
can any one send me stp tutorial of 9tut please
shahp46@yahoo.com
8. thomas
August 27th, 2015
hi guys from above from above diagram the root ports should be the ones located in switch b f0/0
and f0/1 of switch b not in switch a since root port is the one which is connected directly to root
bridge and designated port is the one which has low cost means with short path to root bridge
which is supposed to be f0/1 of switch a but not the way is appearing. if im wrong can some one
explain to me what is my wrong
9. firefly
September 4th, 2015
Please, send me this premimum tutorial, Im not a member. Thanks. vlatkka@gmail.com
10. brian
September 7th, 2015
Please send me STP premium tutorial, Im not a premium member. Thanks!!
nbaustria@gmail.com
11. bhabs
September 10th, 2015
Hello STARS,

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 10 of 13

Giving exam on 22nd, give me tips for preparation.

12. NonameCR
September 15th, 2015
tks a lot very clear info
13. Dattaprasad
October 5th, 2015
Please send me STP ,RSTP,premium tutorial, Im not a premium member. Thanks!!
datttatest2015@gmail.com
14. Vabma1
October 26th, 2015
it is only $9
15. sai
November 7th, 2015
Hi,
in which state election happens? I mean In which state root bride, root port etc will be decided?
16. sai
November 7th, 2015
do we have an material that explain types of BDPUs? pls share the link.
17. mohamed hassan ndomoni
December 1st, 2015
good
18. Anonymous
December 6th, 2015
What is the answer of this question?? A or D
If primary and secondary root switches with priority 16384 both experience catastrophic losses,
which tertiary switch can take over?
A. a switch with priority 20480
B. a switch with priority 8192
C. a switch with priority 4096
D. a switch with priority 12288
19. Anonymous
December 13th, 2015

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 11 of 13

What is the answer of this question?? A or D

If primary and secondary root switches with priority 16384 both experience catastrophic losses,
which tertiary switch can take over?
A. a switch with priority 20480
B. a switch with priority 8192
C. a switch with priority 4096
D. a switch with priority 12288
A is the answer. The next highest priority takes over. In this example all other switches have a
lower priority so they wouldnt be chosen.(they would have been chosen initially if that was the
case since they are lower) In reality switch c would have been the root bridge.
20. James
December 14th, 2015
I am groot!
Comment pages
Previous 1 2 3 611
Add a Comment
Name

Submit Comment

Subscribe to comments feed

9tut.net for ICND 1 & ICND 2 has been launched! Configure NAT GNS3 Lab

Premium Membership
Become a member to interact with all questions and read all tutorials, labs!

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 12 of 13

Find out more or Sign In

CCNA 200-120
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z

CCNA Lab Sim

CCNA Basic Questions
CCNA OSI & TCP/IP Model
CCNA IOS Questions
CCNA WAN Questions
CCNA Switch Questions
CCNA Switch Questions 2
CCNA VLAN Questions
CCNA Trunking Questions
CCNA Trunking Questions 2
CCNA EtherChannel
CCNA InterVLAN Questions
CCNA STP
CCNA STP 2
CCNA RSTP
CCNA Access list Questions
CCNA Subnetting
CCNA Subnetting 2
CCNA IP Routing Questions
CCNA IP Routing 2
CCNA Frame Relay
CCNA Frame Relay 2
CCNA NAT PAT Questions
CCNA OSPF Questions
CCNA OSPF Questions 2
CCNA EIGRP Questions
CCNA DHCP Questions
CCNA HSRP VRRP GLBP
CCNA SNMP Questions
CCNA NetFlow Questions
CCNA Syslog Questions
CCNA Security Questions
CCNA Operation Questions
CCNA Operation 2
CCNA Show commands
CCNA Troubleshooting
CCNA IPv6
CCNA IPv6 Questions 2
CCNA Drag and Drop 1
CCNA Drag and Drop 2
CCNA Drag and Drop 3
CCNA Drag and Drop 4
CCNA Drag and Drop 5
CCNA FAQs & Tips
Share your CCNA Experience

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015

CCNA Training Spanning Tree Protocol STP Tutorial

Page 13 of 13

CCNA Self-Study
z
z
z

Practice CCNA GNS3 Labs

CCNA Knowledge
CCNA Lab Challenges

Network Resources
z

Free Router Simulators

ICND1/ICND2 Website

CCNP - ROUTE Website

CCNP - SWITCH Website

CCNP - TSHOOT Website

CCNA Security Website

CCNA Voice Website

CCNA Wireless Website

CCIE Website

Top

Copyright 2010-2013 CCNA Training

Site Privacy Policy. Valid XHTML 1.1 and CSS 3.BH

http://www.9tut.com/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-tutorial

12/15/2015