RSTP Port States

RSTP moves an interface from blocking to learning, and then to forwarding state.

Discarding State (Disabled/Blocking):

  • Ports are either Administratively disabled (shut) by an Admin or is in Blocking State. (RSTP names the Disabled & Blocking State both as the Discarding State)

  • Alternate Ports are in a Discarding State to block the port on the loop to break the loop.

  • In Discarding State, Alternate Ports will just be able to receive the RB BPDUs but won't be able to send any BPDU, Learn MAC Address or Forward Data Packets.

    Learning State:

  • In Learning State, ports will send & receive BPDUs & will also learn the MAC Address but won't be able to Forward the Data Packets.

  • There is no 15 seconds timer for RSTP Learning State.

    Forwarding State:

  • Root Ports & the Designated Ports are in Forwarding State.

  • In Forwarding State, ports will not only be able to Send & Receive the BPDUs but will also be able to Learn the MAC Addresses & Forward the Data Packets.

Reference:

PreviousPort Roles in RSTPNextEther Channel

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