Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

Which states are included in the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol port states?

1. Discaring, Learning, and Active

2. Forwarding, Listening, and Learning

3. Discarding, Learning, and Forwarding

4. Learning, Forwarding, and Blocking

The correct answer is: Discarding, Learning, and Forwarding

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) is designed to improve the efficiency of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) by reducing the time it takes to transition ports between states. In RSTP, there are three primary port states: Discarding, Learning, and Forwarding. The Discarding state is used to prevent loops by not forwarding frames and effectively dropping any incoming traffic. This state is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the network by ensuring that only one active path exists between two network devices. The Learning state allows the port to learn the MAC addresses of the devices connected to it while not forwarding frames still. During this state, the switch builds its MAC address table but does not send or receive any user data frames, helping it prepare for future data forwarding. Finally, the Forwarding state means the port is both learning MAC addresses and actively forwarding frames to ensure data can flow smoothly across the network. This state represents a stable and operational port status. These three states collectively contribute to the operational effectiveness of RSTP, enabling rapid convergence in a switched network environment and ensuring optimal performance while minimizing the risk of broadcast storms and loops.