BAIT3094 Advanced Computer Networks 1

Tutorial 1

Question 1

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol that runs on switches.

Figure 1-1: Network Topology

Based on Figure 1-1, determine the following:

(i) Root bridge Switch A

(ii) Root port on the non-root bridge Switch B G0/1, Switch D F0/24, Switch C G0/1

(iii) Designated ports on related switches Switch A G0/1, F0/23, Switch D G0/1, Switch B F0/21

(iv) Non-designated port on related switches Switch D F0/21, Switch C G0/2

(v) Referring to Figure 1-1, suggest which of the switch(es) interfaces that need to be configured
with Port fast and BPDU guard command? Justify your answers. Switch B F0/4, Switch C
F0/1, Switch D F0/2 because these ports attached to end devices.
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Question 2

The spanning tree algorithm (STA) uses three simple steps to achieve a logical loop free topology.
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Figure 1 Network Topology

With reference to Figure 1, determine the following:

(i) Root bridge, Switch A
(ii) Non-root bridge, Switch B
(iii) Root port on the non-root bridge, FA0/4
(iv) Designated port on Segment_1, FA0/1
(v) Designated port on Segment_2, FA0/2
(vi) Non-designated port on Segment_2 segment, and FA0/3
(vii) The port in blocking state. FA0/3

Question 3

A converged switch-based network with spanning tree protocol is pictured below.

Which port is the root port for Switch W? Explain the derivation of your answer in detail.
Root bridge is Switch Y hence root port for Switch W is Gig 1/1, because Gig 1/1 is connected
to Switch Z which has same root path cost to root brigde with Switch X but Switch Z has lower
MAC address than Switch X hence this path is chosen. Fa0/1 also not considered because the
root path cost for this path is 19 which is higher than Gig1/1.
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Question 4

Analyze the following diagram and illustrate which switch will be elected as the root bridge and which
switch’s port will place a port in blocking mode. Justify your answers.

Root bridge is SW3 because all switches have same priority number but SW 3 has the lowest MAC
address. SW 4 Gi 1/1 will in blocking mode because SW1 has lower MAC address even
the root path cost is the same for every path.

Question 5

“If primary root switch with priority 16384 experiences catastrophic losses, a backup switch with priority
4096 will take over.” Appraise this statement.
This situation will never happen, because when there is a switch with priority 4096 and another
switch with priority 16384, then the switch with priority 4096 will be the root switch and not the
switch with priority 16384, as the switch with lower priority will always be the root bridge.

Question 6

When an interface is configured with PortFast and BPDU guard, illustrate these features and how the
interface will respond when it received a BPDU?

PortFast puts the port in forwarding state and allows DHCP to work properly. BPDU guard
command maintain switches convergence when attacker device pretend to be a switch. Spanning
tree will shut down PortFast configured interfaces that receive BPDUs instead of turning it into
blocking state.
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Question 7

Compare STP with PVST+.

STP Comparison PVST +

802.1D Standard Cisco
Low Resources needed High
All VLANs Tree calculation Per VLAN