Any Layer-2 switched network with two or more switches providing redundant paths between endpoints will have to deal with the problem of bridging loops. It was for this reason that Spanning-Tree was developed, as a protocol to mitigate this problem. In this bootcamp you will be exposed to the Rapid Spanning-Tree Protocol (RSTP) and how to implement this protocol. Cisco IOS-based switches as well as Juniper switches will be utilized to demonstrate the operation of RSTP. You will learn how to verify the proper operation of this protocol using Cisco IOS and JunOS-based commands, as well as various ways to manipulate its operation. From deterministic placement of the STP Root Bridge to manual load-balancing of VLAN traffic you will become proficient with the implementation of RSTP.
