Question { Jabong, 22937 }

Difference between STP and RSTP?

Answer

1. STP - IEEE standard is 802.1D
RSTP - IEEE standard is 802.1W
2. The main differeve is the convergence time
STP takes 20+30=50 sec to converge
RSTP takes less than 5 sec to converge
3. Flag bit of STP use only 2 bits, one for topology change
and another for topology change Acknowledgement.In RSTP
it uses all the 8 bit.Introduction of these bits(mainly
proposal and agreement bit) reduce the convergence time.
4. In STP only root bridge will send the BPDU's where as in
RSTP all the switch will send the BPDU's
5. RSTP introduce two more ports one alternate port(backup
for root port) and backup port (backup for designated
port)