Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol designed to prevent layer 2 loops. It is standardized as IEEE 802.D protocol. STP blocks some ports on switches with redundant links to prevent broadcast storms and ensure loop-free topology. With STP in place, you can have redundant links between switches in order to provide redundancy.
Overview of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP & RSTP)Peter R. Egli
This document provides an overview of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), which are protocols used to create a loop-free topology in Ethernet networks. It describes the goal of preventing broadcast storms by eliminating loops. Key aspects of STP covered include the root bridge, port roles (root port, designated port, non-designated port), BPDUs, path costs, and how STP establishes a loop-free topology for bridged network segments. The document also provides standards information for various STP implementations.
OSPF is an intra-domain routing protocol that uses a link-state algorithm to calculate the shortest path to destinations within an autonomous system. It divides an autonomous system into areas to limit routing updates and allows for route summarization between areas. OSPF uses hello packets to discover neighbors, database description packets to exchange routing information, link-state request packets to request updates, and link-state acknowledgment packets to acknowledge receipt of updates.
STP prevents loops by electing a single root bridge and blocking redundant links. It uses BPDUs containing bridge IDs and path costs to elect the root bridge with the lowest bridge ID. The switch with bridge ID 32768.0001.964E.7EBB is elected as the root bridge based on having the lowest bridge ID of the switches shown.
BGP is the exterior gateway protocol that connects different autonomous systems on the internet. It allows for the exchange of routing and reachability information between these systems. BGP operates using a finite state machine to manage the states of connections between peers. It establishes TCP connections between routers to exchange routing updates and keep connections alive through regular keepalive messages. BGP version 4, defined in RFC 4271, is the current standard implementation which supports features like classless inter-domain routing and route aggregation.
This document discusses the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) which provides a loop-free network topology by placing ports into blocking states. It describes how STP elects a root bridge, establishes root and designated ports, and transitions ports between blocking and forwarding states. The document also introduces Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol which speeds up STP's recalculation of the spanning tree when the network topology changes.
This document provides an overview of IPv6 addressing and address types. It discusses the 128-bit IPv6 address space and address notation. The main types of IPv6 addresses covered are unicast addresses, including global unicast, link-local, and unique local addresses, as well as multicast addresses and their uses for neighbor discovery. Solicited-node addresses are described as a method for IPv6 nodes to resolve link-layer addresses without broadcasting.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is standardized as IEEE 802.1D.
Is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network.
The document discusses spanning tree protocol (STP) which is used to prevent loops and enable redundancy in switched networks. STP designates one switch as the root bridge and elects root ports and designated ports to block ports and create a loop-free topology. STP also defines port states like forwarding, blocking, listening and learning. Rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) was introduced to improve upon STP by providing faster convergence when the network topology changes.
Routing protocols allow routers to communicate and exchange information that helps determine the best path between networks. The main types are static routing, where routes are manually configured, and dynamic routing, where routes are automatically updated as network conditions change. Common dynamic routing protocols include RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, and OSPF, which use different algorithms and metrics like hop count or bandwidth to calculate the best routes.
IP multicast is a method of sending Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams to a group of interested receivers in a single transmission. It is often employed for streaming media applications on the Internet and private networks.(wikipedia)
Dynamic routing protocols are used to automatically discover remote networks, maintain up-to-date routing information, and choose the best path to destination networks. There are two main types - interior gateway protocols (IGPs) like RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP that are used within an autonomous system, and exterior protocols like BGP that route between autonomous systems. IGPs use metrics like hop count or bandwidth to determine the best path. OSPF is a link-state protocol that floods link information, while EIGRP uses DUAL algorithm and maintains topology tables for fast convergence.
ARP is a protocol that maps IP addresses to MAC addresses. It works by broadcasting an ARP request packet to all devices on the local network segment. The device with the matching IP address responds with its MAC address, allowing the requesting device to send packets directly to the destination MAC address on the local network.
TCP & UDP ( Transmission Control Protocol and User Datagram Protocol)Kruti Niranjan
This document provides information about the Transport Layer protocols TCP and UDP. It describes:
1) TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable, in-order delivery of data through features like flow control, error control, and congestion control. UDP is a connectionless protocol that does not guarantee delivery or order of packets.
2) The TCP header contains fields for source/destination ports, sequence numbers, acknowledgement numbers, flags, window size, checksum, and options. The UDP header contains fields for source/destination ports, length, and checksum.
3) The main differences between TCP and UDP are that TCP is connection-oriented, provides error control and flow control, and supports full duplex communication
The document discusses routing protocols and summarizes:
- It differentiates between nonroutable, routed, and routing protocols and describes common examples like NetBEUI and TCP/IP.
- It explains interior and exterior gateway protocols and the two types of interior gateway protocols: distance-vector and link-state routing protocols.
- It provides details on RIP, a common distance-vector protocol, including how to enable and configure it.
It prevents a network from frame looping by putting some interfaces in forwarding state & some
interfaces in blocking state.
Whenever two or more switches are connected with each other for redundancy purpose loop can occur.
STP Protocol is used to prevent the loop. STP is layer 2 Protocol & by default it is enabled on switches.
This document defines TCP, IP, and UDP. TCP provides reliable, ordered transmission of data and is connection-oriented. It is used for applications like web browsing. IP is connectionless and routes packets to the correct destination. UDP sends short, unreliable datagrams and is used for applications like video games that prioritize speed over reliability. The key difference between TCP and UDP is that TCP provides ordered, error-checked delivery while UDP is faster but unreliable.
HDLC is a bit-oriented protocol that defines rules for transmitting data between network nodes. It supports full-duplex communication and organizes data into frames sent from a source to a destination. HDLC defines three station types - primary stations control data flow, secondary stations operate under primary control, and combined stations act as both. HDLC uses different frame types and operates in modes like normal response for point-to-point links and asynchronous balanced for communication between combined stations.
- OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that was developed in 1991 as an improvement over the distance vector routing protocol RIP. It is based on the Bellman-Ford algorithm.
- OSPF networks can be divided into sub-domains called areas. Areas limit the scope of route information distribution and reduce the number of routes that need to be propagated. All routers within an area must be connected.
- The backbone area, with an ID of 0.0.0.0, acts as a hub that connects all other areas and distributes routing information between them. It must remain continuously connected.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) resolves physically redundant topologies into loop-free, tree-like
topologies. The biggest issue with STP is that some hardware failures can cause it to fail. This failure
creates forwarding loops (or STP loops). Major network outages are caused by STP loops.
The loop guard STP feature that is intended to improve the stability of the Layer 2 networks. This
document also describes Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) skew detection. BPDU skew detection is a
diagnostic feature that generates syslog messages when BPDUs are not received in time.
This document discusses IP addressing and classful addressing in TCP/IP networking. It covers the following key points:
- IP addresses are 32-bit addresses that uniquely identify devices on the Internet. They are organized into classes A, B, C, D and E based on the binary pattern of the address.
- Classful addressing allocates address blocks to organizations based on these classes. However, this led to inefficient address usage and rapid depletion of available addresses.
- Subnetting and supernetting were introduced to allow better allocation of addresses within the original classful blocks through the use of subnet and supernet masks. However, classful addressing is now mostly obsolete.
EIGRP is a proprietary routing protocol developed by Cisco that uses a composite metric and has fast convergence properties. It functions as a hybrid of distance-vector and link-state routing protocols, sending subnet mask and VLSM information in updates. EIGRP forms neighbor relationships through periodic hello messages and establishes three key tables - Neighbor, Topology, and Routing - to store neighbor, route, and best path information. It utilizes five packet types and reliable transport to efficiently share routing updates.
This document provides an overview of the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP). It describes the history and development of EIGRP, its basic operation and components, including reliable transport protocol, packet types, neighbor discovery via hello packets, and route updates using the diffusing update algorithm. It also covers basic EIGRP configuration such as enabling it with the router eigrp command, advertising networks, and verifying neighbor relationships.
The document discusses various IEEE 802 standards for networking technologies including Ethernet, wireless LAN (802.11), and their variants and evolutions over time. It provides details on Ethernet standards and implementations such as 802.3, 10BASE5, 10BASE2, 10BASE-T, 10BASE-F, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also summarizes key aspects of wireless networking standards such as 802.11 components, frame format, and physical layer specifications including FHSS, DSSS, OFDM, and associated data rates and frequencies.
The document provides an overview of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol, including that it is an interior gateway protocol that uses link state routing to establish neighbor relationships and exchange routing information within an autonomous system in order to determine the shortest path between any two routers on a network. OSPF detects changes in network topology quickly and converges on a new loop-free routing structure within seconds, and it has been widely implemented in large enterprise networks to provide efficient routing.
Difference between Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree
Protocol (RSTP)
1. The main difference between Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W) and Spanning
Tree Protocol (STP IEEE 802.1D) is that Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W)
assumes the three Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) ports states Listening, Blocking, and Disabled are
same (these states do not forward Ethernet frames and they do not learn MAC addresses).
Hence Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W) places them all into a new called
Discarding state. Learning and forwarding ports remain more or less the same.
The document discusses different types of spanning tree protocols used in computer networks. It begins by defining a spanning tree as a subgraph of a graph that connects all vertices while avoiding cycles. It then describes the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), including its purpose of dynamically discovering a loop-free topology. It discusses various flavors of STP, including Traditional STP (802.1d), Rapid STP (802.1w), and Multiple STP (802.1s). The document goes on to explain the key concepts and processes behind each protocol type at a high level.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is standardized as IEEE 802.1D.
Is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network.
The document discusses spanning tree protocol (STP) which is used to prevent loops and enable redundancy in switched networks. STP designates one switch as the root bridge and elects root ports and designated ports to block ports and create a loop-free topology. STP also defines port states like forwarding, blocking, listening and learning. Rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) was introduced to improve upon STP by providing faster convergence when the network topology changes.
Routing protocols allow routers to communicate and exchange information that helps determine the best path between networks. The main types are static routing, where routes are manually configured, and dynamic routing, where routes are automatically updated as network conditions change. Common dynamic routing protocols include RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, and OSPF, which use different algorithms and metrics like hop count or bandwidth to calculate the best routes.
IP multicast is a method of sending Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams to a group of interested receivers in a single transmission. It is often employed for streaming media applications on the Internet and private networks.(wikipedia)
Dynamic routing protocols are used to automatically discover remote networks, maintain up-to-date routing information, and choose the best path to destination networks. There are two main types - interior gateway protocols (IGPs) like RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP that are used within an autonomous system, and exterior protocols like BGP that route between autonomous systems. IGPs use metrics like hop count or bandwidth to determine the best path. OSPF is a link-state protocol that floods link information, while EIGRP uses DUAL algorithm and maintains topology tables for fast convergence.
ARP is a protocol that maps IP addresses to MAC addresses. It works by broadcasting an ARP request packet to all devices on the local network segment. The device with the matching IP address responds with its MAC address, allowing the requesting device to send packets directly to the destination MAC address on the local network.
TCP & UDP ( Transmission Control Protocol and User Datagram Protocol)Kruti Niranjan
This document provides information about the Transport Layer protocols TCP and UDP. It describes:
1) TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable, in-order delivery of data through features like flow control, error control, and congestion control. UDP is a connectionless protocol that does not guarantee delivery or order of packets.
2) The TCP header contains fields for source/destination ports, sequence numbers, acknowledgement numbers, flags, window size, checksum, and options. The UDP header contains fields for source/destination ports, length, and checksum.
3) The main differences between TCP and UDP are that TCP is connection-oriented, provides error control and flow control, and supports full duplex communication
The document discusses routing protocols and summarizes:
- It differentiates between nonroutable, routed, and routing protocols and describes common examples like NetBEUI and TCP/IP.
- It explains interior and exterior gateway protocols and the two types of interior gateway protocols: distance-vector and link-state routing protocols.
- It provides details on RIP, a common distance-vector protocol, including how to enable and configure it.
It prevents a network from frame looping by putting some interfaces in forwarding state & some
interfaces in blocking state.
Whenever two or more switches are connected with each other for redundancy purpose loop can occur.
STP Protocol is used to prevent the loop. STP is layer 2 Protocol & by default it is enabled on switches.
This document defines TCP, IP, and UDP. TCP provides reliable, ordered transmission of data and is connection-oriented. It is used for applications like web browsing. IP is connectionless and routes packets to the correct destination. UDP sends short, unreliable datagrams and is used for applications like video games that prioritize speed over reliability. The key difference between TCP and UDP is that TCP provides ordered, error-checked delivery while UDP is faster but unreliable.
HDLC is a bit-oriented protocol that defines rules for transmitting data between network nodes. It supports full-duplex communication and organizes data into frames sent from a source to a destination. HDLC defines three station types - primary stations control data flow, secondary stations operate under primary control, and combined stations act as both. HDLC uses different frame types and operates in modes like normal response for point-to-point links and asynchronous balanced for communication between combined stations.
- OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that was developed in 1991 as an improvement over the distance vector routing protocol RIP. It is based on the Bellman-Ford algorithm.
- OSPF networks can be divided into sub-domains called areas. Areas limit the scope of route information distribution and reduce the number of routes that need to be propagated. All routers within an area must be connected.
- The backbone area, with an ID of 0.0.0.0, acts as a hub that connects all other areas and distributes routing information between them. It must remain continuously connected.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) resolves physically redundant topologies into loop-free, tree-like
topologies. The biggest issue with STP is that some hardware failures can cause it to fail. This failure
creates forwarding loops (or STP loops). Major network outages are caused by STP loops.
The loop guard STP feature that is intended to improve the stability of the Layer 2 networks. This
document also describes Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) skew detection. BPDU skew detection is a
diagnostic feature that generates syslog messages when BPDUs are not received in time.
This document discusses IP addressing and classful addressing in TCP/IP networking. It covers the following key points:
- IP addresses are 32-bit addresses that uniquely identify devices on the Internet. They are organized into classes A, B, C, D and E based on the binary pattern of the address.
- Classful addressing allocates address blocks to organizations based on these classes. However, this led to inefficient address usage and rapid depletion of available addresses.
- Subnetting and supernetting were introduced to allow better allocation of addresses within the original classful blocks through the use of subnet and supernet masks. However, classful addressing is now mostly obsolete.
EIGRP is a proprietary routing protocol developed by Cisco that uses a composite metric and has fast convergence properties. It functions as a hybrid of distance-vector and link-state routing protocols, sending subnet mask and VLSM information in updates. EIGRP forms neighbor relationships through periodic hello messages and establishes three key tables - Neighbor, Topology, and Routing - to store neighbor, route, and best path information. It utilizes five packet types and reliable transport to efficiently share routing updates.
This document provides an overview of the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP). It describes the history and development of EIGRP, its basic operation and components, including reliable transport protocol, packet types, neighbor discovery via hello packets, and route updates using the diffusing update algorithm. It also covers basic EIGRP configuration such as enabling it with the router eigrp command, advertising networks, and verifying neighbor relationships.
The document discusses various IEEE 802 standards for networking technologies including Ethernet, wireless LAN (802.11), and their variants and evolutions over time. It provides details on Ethernet standards and implementations such as 802.3, 10BASE5, 10BASE2, 10BASE-T, 10BASE-F, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also summarizes key aspects of wireless networking standards such as 802.11 components, frame format, and physical layer specifications including FHSS, DSSS, OFDM, and associated data rates and frequencies.
The document provides an overview of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol, including that it is an interior gateway protocol that uses link state routing to establish neighbor relationships and exchange routing information within an autonomous system in order to determine the shortest path between any two routers on a network. OSPF detects changes in network topology quickly and converges on a new loop-free routing structure within seconds, and it has been widely implemented in large enterprise networks to provide efficient routing.
Difference between Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree
Protocol (RSTP)
1. The main difference between Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W) and Spanning
Tree Protocol (STP IEEE 802.1D) is that Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W)
assumes the three Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) ports states Listening, Blocking, and Disabled are
same (these states do not forward Ethernet frames and they do not learn MAC addresses).
Hence Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W) places them all into a new called
Discarding state. Learning and forwarding ports remain more or less the same.
The document discusses different types of spanning tree protocols used in computer networks. It begins by defining a spanning tree as a subgraph of a graph that connects all vertices while avoiding cycles. It then describes the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), including its purpose of dynamically discovering a loop-free topology. It discusses various flavors of STP, including Traditional STP (802.1d), Rapid STP (802.1w), and Multiple STP (802.1s). The document goes on to explain the key concepts and processes behind each protocol type at a high level.
STP prevents packet loops in multi-switch networks by establishing a tree topology where one switch acts as the root bridge and blocks redundant links. It works by exchanging BPDU messages to elect the root bridge and determine the optimal path to it, blocking ports on other paths to prevent loops. Modern variants like RSTP improve performance by defining different port roles and converging faster to reduce downtime when the topology changes.
The document discusses advanced switching concepts including the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), virtual LANs (VLANs), and the VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP). STP builds a logical topology to prevent loops, elects a root bridge, and puts ports in different states. VLANs segment broadcast domains and provide benefits like security and flexibility. VTP manages VLAN configurations across trunk links within the same VTP domain.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is used to prevent loops from forming on redundant networks. STP uses different port states and timers to logically prevent loops by electing a root bridge and designating root ports on each switch. Rapid PVST+ is an enhancement of STP that provides faster convergence time of less than 6 seconds compared to 50 seconds for STP, while also supporting VLANs to prevent loops between redundant switches in a VLAN.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is used to prevent loops from forming on redundant networks. STP uses different port states and timers to logically prevent loops by electing a root bridge and designating root ports on each switch. Rapid PVST+ is an enhancement of STP that provides faster convergence time of less than 6 seconds compared to 50 seconds for STP, while also supporting VLANs to prevent loops between redundant switches in a VLAN.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is used to prevent loops from forming on redundant networks. STP uses different port states and timers to logically prevent loops by electing a root bridge and designating root ports on each switch. Rapid PVST+ is an enhancement of STP that provides faster convergence time of less than 6 seconds compared to 50 seconds for STP, while also supporting VLANs to prevent loops between redundant switches in a VLAN.
The concept of the spanning tree protocol was devised to address broadcast storming. The spanning tree algorithm itself is defined by the IEEE standard 802.1D and its later revisions.
The IEEE Standard 802.1 uses the term bridge to define the spanning tree operation, and uses terms such as Bridge Protocol Data Units and Root Bridge when defining spanning tree protocol functions.
When a bridge receives a frame, it reads the source and destination address fields. The bridge then enters the frame’s source address in its forwarding database. In doing this the bridge associates the frame’s source address with the network attached to the por t on which the frame was received. The bridge also reads the destination address and if it can find this address in its forwarding database, it forwards the frame to the appropriate port. If the bridge does not recognize the destination address, it forwards the frame out from all its por ts except for the one on which the frame was received, and then waits for a reply. This process is known as “flooding”. Similarly, packets with broadcast or multicast destination MAC addresses will be flooded by a bridge.
A significant problem arises where bridges connect via multiple paths. A frame that arrives with an unknown or broadcast/multicast destination address is flooded over all available paths. The arrival of these frames at another network via different paths and bridges produces major problems. The bridges find the same source MAC address arriving on
multiple different por ts, making it impossible to maintain a reliable forwarding database. As a result, increasing numbers of packets will be forwarded to multiple paths. This process is selfperpetuating and produces a condition known as a packet storm, where the increase of circulating frames can eventually overload the network.
STP is a Layer 2 protocol that runs on switches and bridges to prevent loops in networks with redundant links. It works by electing a root switch, designating root ports on other switches that connect to the root switch, and blocking ports not chosen as root ports to ensure there is only one active path between any two switches. Key concepts include the root bridge election process based on bridge IDs, root ports that connect switches to the root bridge, and designated ports that forward traffic while other ports are blocked.
CCNA R&S-12-Spanning Tree Protocol ConceptsAmir Jafari
The document discusses Spanning Tree Protocol concepts including:
- STP prevents Ethernet frames from looping indefinitely by placing switch ports in blocking or forwarding states.
- STP elects a root switch and each non-root switch chooses a root port with the lowest cost path to the root.
- On each LAN segment, STP selects one port on one switch as the designated port to forward frames onto that segment, while blocking other ports on that segment.
This document discusses spanning tree protocols used in local area networks (LANs). It begins with an introduction to spanning tree concepts and how they address issues with redundant network paths such as broadcast storms and unstable MAC address tables. The document then covers various spanning tree protocols including IEEE 802.1D STP, PVST+, and Rapid PVST+. It describes the operation of each protocol including BPDU frame formats, port states, and how they select the root bridge and block redundant paths. Configuration of PVST+ and Rapid PVST+ in a switched LAN environment is also discussed.
This document provides an overview of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and its various implementations. It defines key STP concepts like root bridge, BPDUs, port states, path cost, and port types. STP builds a loop-free Layer 2 topology by selecting a root bridge and placing redundant ports in blocking state. The document also covers STP variants like 802.1D, PVST+, RSTP, and MSTP.
Ethernet networks can operate in either half-duplex or full-duplex mode. Half-duplex uses CSMA/CD to resolve collisions but only allows data transmission in one direction at a time, while full-duplex allows simultaneous two-way transmission by using point-to-point connections between devices to eliminate collisions. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is used to prevent loops in redundant switched networks by providing a single active path and blocking backup paths, while Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) provides much faster convergence times than STP. Virtual LANs (VLANs) allow logical segmentation of networks to isolate broadcast domains while maintaining physical connectivity, with VLAN IDs associating ports on switches to specific
This document provides an overview of spanning tree protocols and configuration. It examines the purpose of STP in preventing Layer 2 loops and describes the operation of the spanning tree algorithm. Different varieties of STP are covered, including PVST+ and Rapid PVST+. The document also discusses configuring STP modes and parameters like bridge priority and load balancing. Spanning tree concepts are summarized, including port roles, BPDU format, and root path calculation.
APNIC Update - Global Synergy among the RIRs: Connecting the RegionsAPNIC
Vivek Nigam, APNIC Regional Manager, Member and Registry Services, presented an update on APNIC's IPv4 resources and registry challenges at LACNIC 43 held in São Paulo, Brazil from 5 to 9 May 2025.
This presentation explores the collaboration between advanced cybersecurity tools and human expertise. While automated tools enhance vulnerability detection, skilled professionals are essential for understanding complex attacks and adapting to emerging threats. Combining both elements strengthens an organization's defense, improving overall cybersecurity resilience.
The operational environments of ISPs and service providers—particularly Network Operations Centers (NOCs) and support teams—are increasingly overwhelmed by repetitive communication, documentation, and content creation tasks. At BdREN, we encountered similar challenges while managing high volumes of client emails, drafting incident communications, and facilitating digital learning across our network. In response, we developed AI-powered tools not only for the education sector but also to streamline our internal operations—challenges shared by many ISPs.
This talk presents a practical and ISP-relevant perspective on how BdREN is integrating Artificial Intelligence to automate repetitive yet critical tasks. Key use cases include:
An AI-based email assistant that intelligently generates replies, summarizes conversations, and drafts new messages to support overloaded NOC and helpdesk teams.
A quiz generation system that transforms documents into ready-to-use assessments in seconds, addressing one of the most time-consuming tasks in training and academic operations.
In addition to showcasing these innovations, the session will outline our roadmap for AI-assisted assessments, content analytics, and collaboration opportunities with ISPs and research networks alike. Whether you're managing clients, students, or support workflows, these solutions offer replicable and scalable models for operational efficiency.
The session includes live demonstrations and real-world examples aimed at inspiring local ISPs to explore how AI can be embedded into everyday technical workflows—beyond the buzzwords.
This presentation discusses the deployment of an IPv6 Mostly network environment at APRICOT conferences, highlighting its core concept, configuration examples, and operational insights. Key challenges encountered during implementation and lessons learned will be also discussed, offering practical guidance for future IPv6 network deployments.
DATA COMMUNICATION components, modes of transmission & communication devices ...samina khan
This presentation offers a clear and structured exploration of core concepts in Data Communication, covering everything from the building blocks of communication systems to the various modes and devices involved in the process.
It begins with an overview of the key components that make communication possible, followed by an explanation of how data flows through different transmission modes. The presentation also highlights the role of essential networking devices in facilitating efficient communication across networks.
Designed for clarity and comprehension, the slides use visuals and real-world analogies to help learners grasp technical ideas intuitively. Whether you're a student new to computer systems or an instructor looking for ready-to-use teaching material, this presentation provides a solid foundation in:
The primary elements involved in any data communication setup
How data is transmitted across channels under different modes
The function and purpose of devices like hubs, switches, routers, and gateways
A comparison between asynchronous and synchronous transmission styles
How different components and methods interact to ensure reliable data exchange
Perfect for introductory lessons or revision sessions, this resource simplifies complex networking concepts without compromising depth.
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a critical part of the Internet infrastructure. DNS translates the domain names of websites and email addresses that people can remember to the IP addresses that computers can understand. It is a large distributed system with many moving parts.
KINDNS is simple framework for stable and secure DNS operations. The KINDNS guidelines are current best practices for DNS operators to improve the security and reliability of their operations.
The technology and internet industry is a fascinating, fast-paced environment that drives innovation and shapes the world. However, behind the glamorous fasade of startups, tech giants, and digital pioneers, there is often a reality filled with immense pressure, high expectations, and mental health challenges.
In my presentation, I want to share my personal story of an honest look at my life and career in the tech industry. I will highlight the challenges I've encountered, the problems I've faced firsthand, and the impact workplace culture has had on my mental health. It's not just about the difficulties but also about potential solutions and ways to create a more people-friendly industry.
Every individual experiences their career in this industry differently. However, there are recurring patterns and systemic issues that affect many of us. With my presentation, I aim to raise awareness, encourage reflection, and spark discussions: What is wrong? What is working well? Where can we collaborate to create positive change?
As part of this initiative/ presentation, I will also introduce my passion project "Open Ears" a platform dedicated to active listening and open exchange within the tech industry. Through this initiative, I hope to encourage colleagues to share their experiences, seek support, and collectively contribute to a healthier workplace culture.
My goal is not only to provide a personal perspective but also to initiate a dialogue about the urgent need for change in our industry.
Network Efficiency: The LLM Advantage
In today's complex IT environment, network professionals face rising demands for efficiency and reliability. This presentation explores how Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming network management by automating routine tasks, enhancing threat detection, and optimizing performance.
We demonstrate how LLMs streamline operations through intelligent log analysis, dynamic performance tuning, and natural language query handling a turning questions like Why is my network slow into actionable insights. Real-world examples will show how LLMs can function as expert assistants, delivering rapid, precise recommendations.
Attendees will gain practical knowledge on integrating LLMs into network workflows, unlocking the power of generative AI and machine learning to build smarter, more proactive, and self-optimizing network infrastructures.
Modern software development often defaults to complexity, but does this truly lead to "better" applications? This talk advocates for a return to simplicity, challenging the over-reliance on intricate toolchains and architectural patterns. We'll explore how embracing core principles like clear requirements, small teams, and constant feedback can result in more efficient and maintainable software. Join us to discover eight fundamental rules for building better applications, emphasizing a streamlined approach that prioritizes user needs and developer productivity.
Paper: QFS: World Game (s) Great Redesign.pdfSteven McGee
THESIS: All artifacts internet, programmable net of money are formed using:
1) Epoch time cycle temporal intervals ex: created by silicon microchip oscillations
2) Syntax parsed, processed during epoch time cycle epoch temporal intervals
3) All things internet, internet of money, blockchains (time chains) are formed with unicast, multicast, anycast protocols. workflow logic, procedures, described by process filters, propagated by wave form motion described by nature, natural law I.e., Tesla describe electro - gravity - magnetic wave forms (standing, scaler)
Navigating Compliance for MSPs From First Audit to MonetizationControlCase
You’ll gain a clear understanding of why compliance is essential to differentiating your service portfolio, explore key frameworks like SOC 2 and GDPR tailored to MSP operations, and learn actionable strategies to prepare for and excel in your first audit. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders—Natalie Suarez from ConnectWise, and Patrick Jamison and Ricardo M. Pardo from ControlCase—who will share best practices for audit readiness and reveal how to turn compliance into a powerful revenue stream. Spaces are limited, so register now.
As networks increasingly demand faster convergence and enhanced resilience, Segment Routing over MPLS (SR-MPLS) has emerged as a robust framework to simplify traffic engineering and improve failure recovery. This technical session will delve into Fast Reroute (FRR) mechanisms within SR-MPLS, with a focus on Topology Independent Loop-Free Alternate (TI-LFA). I will explore how TI-LFA enables sub-50ms protection against link and node failures while ensuring optimal coverage across any topology.
The talk will also address key challenges like microloop formation during convergence and discuss practical strategies for microloop prevention using SR policies and ordered FIB updates. Through real-world examples and lab-tested topologies, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to design and deploy scalable, fast-converging SR-MPLS networks with high availability and minimal service disruption.
2. Slide 2
1. Introduction and Purpose of STP
2. STP Standards Overview
3. IEEE 802.1D STP Protocol
4. IEEE 802.1w RSTP Rapid STP
5. IEEE 802.1Q CST Common Spanning Tree
6. Cisco PVST+ and PVRST+
7. IEEE 802.1s MST Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol
Contents
3. Slide 3
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol (802.1D)
• It runs on bridges and switches
• Main Purpose:
• Ensuring to not creating loops when you have redundant paths.
• Loops are deadly to a network.
• Ethernet bridges or switches must forward many known or unknown frames
(like ARP or DHCP) to all physical ports, so it needs a loop-Free Topology.
1. Introduction and Purpose of STP
An Ethernet network with loops
4. Slide 4
2. STP Standards Overview
Standard Description Abbreviation
IEEE 802.1D
• Loop Prevention
• Auto-reconfig of tree in case of any changes
• Slow convergence (up to 50 Mbps)
STP
IEEE 802.1w
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol
• Improved STP with faster convergence
• Backward compatible with STP
RSTP
IEEE 802.1Q
• Virtual LAN
• Defining 1 common spanning tree (CST) for all VLANs CST
Cisco
Proprietary
• Per VLAN Spanning Tree
• 1STP instance per VLAN
• PVST+ is an improved variant of PVST
PVST
PVST+
Cisco
Proprietary
• Per VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree
• 1RSTP instance per VLAN
PVRST+ or
R-PVST+
IEEE 802.1s
• Multiple (Instance) Spanning Tree protocol
• Multiple instance of VLAN mapped to 1 STP (both CST and PVST)
MSTP or
MISTP
5. Slide 5
STP Overview
• Providing path redundancy while preventing undesirable loops in network.
• In a layer 2 network, only one active path can exist between any 2 stations.
• STP calculates and selects the best loop-free path.
• Layer 2 LAN ports send and receive STP frames and network devices use the
frames to construct a loop-free path.
• If a loop exists in network, end stations receive duplicate messages and
network devices learn end station MAC addresses.
• STP defines a tree with a Root Bridge and a loop-free path from the root to
all devices.
• STP forces redundant data paths into a blocked state.
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
6. Slide 6
• Bridge:
• A bridge connects two or more LAN segments.
• Today’s networks are predominantly Switch based. For STP switch = bridge.
• Root Bridge (RB):
• It’s the bridge (or switch) that provides an interconnection point for all segments.
• Every bridge in a LAN has a path to the root.
• STP can select the root bridge automatically but if administrator wants, he can
change the RB according to the network.
• Non-Root Bridge (NRB):
• Any bridge that is not the RB is called Non-root Bridge.
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
7. Slide 7
• Root Port (RP):
• The port that leads towards the RB. (or the port has the lowest path cost to RB).
• Every NRB has exactly 1 RP.
• The Root Bridge (RB) doesn’t have any Root Port (RP).
• Designated Port (DP):
• Every LAN segment has 1 DP. Every bridge receives the frames from DP and
forward them through its RP towards the Root Bridge.
• DP guarantees that every segment is connected to the STP tree topology.
• In Root Bridge (RB) = All ports are Designated Port (DP)
• Port ID:
• It’s used to determine the RP. It consists of a 1 byte priority value and a port
number that is unique per bridge.
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
8. Slide 8
Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDU)
• Each network device send BPDUs to exchange topology information.
• There is 2 types of BPDU:
1. Configuration BPDU
• The unique bridge ID of the root device in the network
• The STP path cost to the root
• The bridge ID of the transmitting bridge
• The identifier of the transmitting port
• Values for the hello, forward delay, and max-age protocol timers
2. Topology Change Notification (TCN) BPDU
• One network device is elected as the root bridge.
• The shortest distance to the root bridge is calculated for each network device based on
the path cost.
• A designated bridge for each LAN segment is selected. This is the network device closest
to the root bridge through which frames are forwarded to the root.
• A root port is selected. This is the port providing the best path from the bridge to the root
bridge.
• Ports included in the spanning tree are selected.
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
9. Slide 9
Election of the Root Bridge
• STP uses a 64-bit bridge ID consisting of a bridge priority value and MAC address for
selection of the Root Bridge.
• STP also uses one MAC address per VLAN to make the bridge ID unique for each
VLAN.
• The bridge with the lowest BID in the network is elected as root bridge.
• If 2 BIDs have the same priority value, the bridge with the lower MAC address wins.
1. First, all bridges send configuration BPDUs with their own BID.
2. All bridges compare the received BPDUs with their own BID. If it’s lower, they stop
sending own BPDUs but they start forwarding received BPDUs to all interfaces.
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
10. Slide 10
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
• The Root Bridge should be a powerful device and be positioned at the center of the
network.
• In the below example, Br0 is elected as RB because it has the lowest BID, but the
administrator changed the root bridge to BR2, because it has the fast link with
1Gbps.
11. Slide 11
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
STP Port State Overview
State Description Process BPDUs Learn MAC
Init
Initialization of an port (bootstrap).
Actually not an STP port state.
No No
Disabled
Administrative state.
The port doesn’t participate in STP operations.
No Mo
Blocking
The port doesn’t forward Ethernet frames and
doesn’t learn MAC addresses. (Backup State)
Yes (receive and
process BPDUs
only)
No
Listening
Computation of loop-free topology is carried
out in this state and the port is assigned its role.
(RP, DP, NDP)
Yes (Send and
receive BPDUs)
No
Learning
Additional state to delay forwarding of Ethernet
frames to avoid flooding the network.
Yes
Yes (Populate
MAC address
table)
Forwarding
Normal operation of forwarding Ethernet
frames (user traffic)
Yes Yes
12. Slide 12
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
• Port states and transitions for STP are defined by the following diagram:
13. Slide 13
3. STP Protocol – IEEE 802.1D
• In reality, the ports are in different states (Blocking, Listening, Learning) until
reaching a stable state (Forwarding or Blocking).
14. Slide 14
4. RSTP Rapid STP - IEEE 802.1w
Differences between STP & RSTP
1. The main difference is that RSTP places 3 ports states Listening, Blocking and
Disabled all into a new state called Discarding state. Learning and forwarding ports
remain more or less the same.
2. In STP, bridges only send out a BPDU when they received one on their RP from RB.
In RSTP, enabled switches send out BPDUs in every hello time.
3. STP includes two port types: Root Port and Designated Port.
RSTP includes two additional port types: Alternate Ports and Backup Ports.
• Alternate Port is a port that has an alternative path or paths to the RB, but is
currently in a Discarding State.
• Backup Port is a port that could be used to reach RB, but there is already an active
STP Designated Port for that segment. (can be considered as an additional unused
designated port).
15. Slide 15
5. CST Common Spanning Tree - IEEE 802.1Q
• IEEE 802.1Q defines a common STP for all VLANs in a physical network.
• In the below, an access switch has 1000 VLANs and is connected to 2 distribution
switches. With only 1 instance of STP or RSTP for VLANs as defined in 702.1Q CST,
only 1 of the links is used for forwarding traffic towards the distribution switches.
16. Slide 16
6. Cisco PVST+ & PVRST+
• Cisco’s PVST+ and PVRST+ define a separate spanning tree instance for each VLAN.
• By defining SW0 to be RB for VLANs 1-500 and SW1 to be RB for VLANs 501-1000,
respectively, Load Balancing can be achieved.
• However, defining a separate spanning tree instance for each VLAN requires a lot of
resources (CPU Processing Power and Memory) and is therefor inefficient.
17. Slide 17
7. MST Multiple STP - IEEE 802.1s
• MSTP, originally defined in 802.1s and then merged to 802.1Q-2005, allows
mapping multiple VLANs to a single spanning tree instance.
• This reduces the resource requirements while preserving the advantages of having
multiple spanning trees for load balancing purposes.
• In the example below, the VLANs are mapped to 2 separate spanning tree instances
as follows:
• VLANs 1-500 : Spanning tree instance 1
• VLANs 501-1000 : Spanning tree instance 2