RSTP - Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol
=====================================

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        **What is RSTP?**

        RSTP stands for **Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol**. It is an evolution of the original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) designed to provide faster convergence and network recovery times.

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        **Why is RSTP useful?**

        * Provides **significantly faster network convergence** (typically a few seconds instead of up to a minute).
        * Prevents network loops in Layer 2 topologies.
        * Improves network reliability and uptime.

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        **How it works?**

        * RSTP uses **Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs)** to detect loops and maintain a loop-free topology.
        * It introduces new port roles and states to speed up the transition of ports to forwarding or blocking states.
        * Rapidly reacts to topology changes to minimize downtime.

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        **Where is RSTP used?**

        * Enterprise Layer 2 switched networks.
        * Networks requiring fast failover and minimal downtime.
        * Most modern managed switches support RSTP.

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        **Which OSI layer does this protocol belong to?**

        * RSTP operates at **Layer 2 (Data Link Layer)** of the OSI model.

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        **IS RSTP windows specific?**

        * No, RSTP is **not Windows-specific**.
        * It is implemented in networking equipment, not tied to any OS.

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        **IS RSTP Linux Specific?**

        * No, RSTP is **not Linux-specific**.
        * Linux-based network devices may implement RSTP, but it is not exclusive to Linux.

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        **Which Transport Protocol is used by RSTP?**

        * RSTP does **not use TCP or UDP**.
        * It sends BPDUs directly over Ethernet frames at Layer 2.

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        **Which Port is used by RSTP?**

        * RSTP does **not use port numbers**.
        * It uses a multicast MAC address (`01:80:C2:00:00:00`) to send BPDUs.

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        **Is RSTP using Client server model?**

        * No, RSTP uses a **peer-to-peer model** where network switches communicate to maintain topology.

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        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Learnings in this section <RSTP_step1>`

                * :ref:`Terminology <RSTP_step2>`

                * :ref:`Version Info <RSTP_step3>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Version&IEEE Details <RSTP_step5>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <RSTP_step18>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <RSTP_step19>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Protocol Packet Details <RSTP_step6>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Usecases <RSTP_step7>`

                * :ref:`RSTP Basic Features <RSTP_step8>`
                    
                * :ref:`Reference links <RSTP_step17>`


.. _RSTP_step1:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section

        * In this section, you are going to learn

.. _RSTP_step2:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Terminology
        
       * Terminology


.. _RSTP_step3:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Version Info
    
         * Version Info


.. _RSTP_step5:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: RSTP Version&RFC Details

        * rfc details

.. _RSTP_step18:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: RSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4

       * setup

.. _RSTP_step19:

.. tab-set::
  
   .. tab-item:: RSTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6

     * setup
       
.. _RSTP_step6:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: RSTP Protocol Packet Details

        * packet details
       


.. _RSTP_step7:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: RSTP Usecases

       * usecases
        
        

.. _RSTP_step8:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: RSTP Basic Features
    
        * features 



.. _RSTP_step17:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Reference links
     
       * Reference links