Routing And Switching Questions
STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) are both protocols used in network switches to prevent loops and ensure a loop-free topology. The main difference between STP and RSTP is the speed at which they converge and adapt to changes in the network.
STP is the older and slower protocol, taking several seconds to converge after a network change. It uses a blocking state for redundant links, which means that only one link is active while the others are blocked to prevent loops.
RSTP, on the other hand, is an improved version of STP that converges much faster, typically within a few milliseconds. It introduces new port states, such as the discarding and learning states, which allow for faster convergence. RSTP also supports rapid transition between port states, reducing the downtime during network changes.
In summary, while both STP and RSTP serve the same purpose of preventing loops in a network, RSTP is faster and more efficient in adapting to changes, resulting in improved network performance.