# RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree)

RSTP (802.1W) in the enhancement of [STP ](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/stp-spanning-tree-protocol)(802.1D)

* RSTP was crated by IEEE to get rid of the slow convergence of STP where it takes 50 seconds to bring the port up from Discarding (Blocking) to Forwarding [state](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/rstp-port-states).
* RSTP convergence is in few seconds (3 Hello Timers) or withing few milliseconds of a Physical Link failure.
* It does it so quickly because there is no Listening mode in RSTP. Ports can directly move from Discarding mode to Learning & Forwarding Mode.
* RSTP is backwards-compatible with standard STP (you can run STP & RSTP in the same Network)
* RSTP has inbuilt Cisco proprietary features like Backbone fast, Uplink fast, Portfast, BPDU Filter.
* In RSTP, Not only RB but all the other Non-Root Bridges will also be sending & receiving the BPDUs to make the convergence faster.
* [RSTP Port roles](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/port-roles-in-rstp) are slightly different as compared to STP
* RSTP is enabled by default on newer Cisco Switches which skips the Listening & Learning State that means [PortFast](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/portfast) is also enabled by default on RSTP running Switches on Edge ports.
* Another method of preventing Loop / preventing hackers attack is using [BPDU Guard](https://app.gitbook.com/@mudassirs46/s/network-fundamentals/~/drafts/-MRZ8l67L5MHnaQIEh9W/bpdu-guard).

## Reference:

* CCNA 200-301 OCG, Volume 1, Pg. 229-233 - Wendell Odom.
* RST Notes
* <https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ccna200301/397383697?autoplay=1>


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