Spanning Tree Protocol Issues - Essay Example

The rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) can be described as an extension of the STP that resulted from the evolution of the STP network protocol. This protocol provides a faster-spanning tree compared to STP resulting in the introduction of new convergence behaviors of networks at the bridge ports. This protocol functions similarly to the standard STP but the fundamental difference occurs in the time taken to complete the convergence process (Huang et al., 2006). RSTP completes the convergence process quickly eliminating the possibility of lost communication.

Cisco utilizes additional spanning trees in seeking to ensure that the protocols operate smoothly in environments where there are several virtual LANs in existence. As the networks grow, Cisco creates multiple spanning trees to ensure each network utilizes its independent links for establishing connections. Cisco has developed multiple instances spanning tree protocol MISTP which is fully compatible with the standards RSTP, and its integration causes the many bridges to be perceived as a single bridge by the RSTP. The configuration of the standard STP and RSTP does not need to be changed when these Cisco evolutions are integrated, but rather they make the function faster.