i)Why does a bridge or switch network run the Distributed Spanning Tree Algorithm? You do not need to explain the algorithm itself.

ii)You type into a Cisco switch and the following (partial) table is displayed: (Fa0/x means FastEthernet port x on module 0)

sol52:

i) A bridge or switch network runs the Distributed Spanning Tree Algorithm (DSTA) to prevent loops and ensure that there is only one active path between any two nodes in the network. In a network with multiple interconnected switches or bridges, there may be multiple paths between nodes, creating loops that can cause packets to be forwarded endlessly and congest the network. The DSTA ensures that only one path is active at any given time, while the others are blocked, thus avoiding loops and ensuring efficient forwarding of packets.

ii) The partial table displayed on the Cisco switch shows the status of the FastEthernet ports on module 0. The table provides information on the port number, its current state, and the VLANs it is configured to carry. The possible states for a port are:

• Up: The port is operational and can send and receive data.
• Down: The port is not operational and cannot send or receive data.
• Err-Disable: The port has been automatically disabled due to an error condition, such as a port security violation or a spanning-tree loop.
• Disabled: The port has been manually disabled by an administrator.

The VLANs listed for each port indicate which VLANs are currently active on the port. A port can be configured to carry traffic for one or multiple VLANs. The information displayed in the table can be useful for network administrators to monitor the status of the switch ports and ensure that they are configured correctly.