STP and RSTP Lab Guide

In this lab we will cover the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), along with additional features such as BPDU Guard, PortFast, BPDU Guard Filter, and Root Guard, which are crucial for preventing network loops and ensuring stable Layer 2 operations in redundant Ethernet networks.

Objectives

1. Configure and verify Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in a network.
2. Configure and verify Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).

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Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

Configure and verify Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent network loops in a redundant switched network.

Lab Topology:

1. Use three Cisco 2960 switches (Switch1, Switch2, Switch3).
2. Connect the switches using the following ports:

— Switch1 (FastEthernet0/1) to Switch2 (FastEthernet0/1)

— Switch2 (FastEthernet0/2) to Switch3 (FastEthernet0/1)

— Switch3 (FastEthernet0/2) to Switch1 (FastEthernet0/2)

Step 1: Build the Topology

— Add three Cisco 2960 switches in Cisco Packet Tracer and connect as below