Spanning Tree Protocol IEEE 80d and Need

The original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) was standardized as IEEE 802.1D and provided a way to prevent loops in a network by creating a loop-free topology. STP was designed to work with bridges and switches, and it became widely adopted as a network protocol.

STP remains a relevant and important protocol today, particularly in networks where there are redundant links between switches. While there are newer versions of STP, such as Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), the basic principles and mechanisms of STP remain the same.

STP is needed in networks to prevent broadcast storms, which can occur when there are multiple paths between switches and packets are forwarded in a loop. Broadcast storms can cause network congestion, packet loss, and other network issues. By creating a loop-free topology, STP ensures that only one active path is used, while all other redundant paths are blocked. STP also provides a way to dynamically adjust the network topology in response to changes, such as link failures or additions. When a link fails or a new link is added, STP recalculates the spanning tree and selects a new active path.