What issues occur when spanning tree is disabled on access switches?

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What issues occur when spanning tree is disabled on access switches?

Asked on Nov 13, 2025

Answer

Disabling Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on access switches can lead to network loops, causing broadcast storms, MAC table instability, and network congestion. STP is crucial for preventing loops in Ethernet networks by blocking redundant paths and ensuring a loop-free topology.

Example Concept: Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) prevents network loops by dynamically blocking redundant paths in a switched network. When STP is disabled, switches may forward frames indefinitely in a loop, leading to broadcast storms where frames flood the network, overwhelming switch resources and causing network outages. STP ensures that only one active path exists between network segments, maintaining network stability and performance.

Additional Comment:

STP variants include RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) and MSTP (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol), offering faster convergence and support for multiple VLANs.
Network loops can cause severe disruptions, making it critical to enable STP on all switches, especially in complex topologies.
Consider using BPDU Guard on access ports to prevent accidental loops caused by connecting unauthorized switches.
Regularly review and update switch configurations to ensure STP settings align with network design and requirements.

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