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Activity 7 - Stormy Traffic

The document describes a scenario where a new network administrator is experiencing connectivity issues after a network upgrade added a new switch. Upon inspection, the status lights on all switches are blinking rapidly, indicating a potential problem. The objective is to explain the purpose of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and how it can resolve issues caused by redundant switch links, such as broadcast storms and switching loops. STP blocks certain ports on switches to ensure only one path exists between devices and prevent endless looping of packets. The first steps to troubleshooting would be to check if STP is enabled on switches, remove the new switch to isolate the problem, or use a protocol analyzer to identify the network issue.

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Ron Concepcion
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76 views3 pages

Activity 7 - Stormy Traffic

The document describes a scenario where a new network administrator is experiencing connectivity issues after a network upgrade added a new switch. Upon inspection, the status lights on all switches are blinking rapidly, indicating a potential problem. The objective is to explain the purpose of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and how it can resolve issues caused by redundant switch links, such as broadcast storms and switching loops. STP blocks certain ports on switches to ensure only one path exists between devices and prevent endless looping of packets. The first steps to troubleshooting would be to check if STP is enabled on switches, remove the new switch to isolate the problem, or use a protocol analyzer to identify the network issue.

Uploaded by

Ron Concepcion
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CISC003 – Cisco Networking 3

ACTIVITY 7 - Stormy Traffic

Objective
Explain the purpose of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in a switched LAN environment with
redundant switch links.

Scenario
It is your first day on the job as a network administrator for a small- to medium-sized business.
The previous network administrator left suddenly after a network upgrade took place for the
business.

During the upgrade, a new switch was added. Since the upgrade, many employees complain
that they are having trouble accessing the Internet and servers on your network. In fact, most
of them cannot access the network at all. Your corporate manager asks you to immediately
research what could be causing these connectivity problems
and delays.

So you take a look at the equipment operating on your network at your main distribution facility
in the building. You notice that the network topology seems to be visually correct and that
cables have been connected correctly, routers and switches are powered on and operational,
and switches are connected together to provide backup or redundancy.

However, one thing you do notice is that all of your switches’ status lights are constantly
blinking at a very fast pace to the point that they almost appear solid. You think you have found
the problem with the connectivity issues your employees are experiencing.

Use the Internet to research STP. As you research, take notes and describe:
- Broadcast storm
- Switching loops
- The purpose of STP
- Variations of STP

Complete the reflection questions that accompany the PDF file for this activity. Save your work and be
prepared to share your answers with the class.

Resources
Internet access to the World Wide Web

Reflection
1. What is a definition of a broadcast storm? How does a broadcast storm develop?

A broadcast storm develops when switches forward traffic out of all ports while looking for a
destination for the traffic. It develops when switches continuously forward traffic between themselves
without time to block interfaces on the switches to create one good path to the destination.

2. What is a definition of a switching loop? What causes a switching loop?

A switching loop forms when redundancy is present on switches and the paths formed create a circle
of delivery. Packets travel endlessly along the redundant paths, particularly with multicast and
broadcast traffic. This causes a myriad of traffic on the network, causing hosts to have problems
CISC003 – Cisco Networking 3
accessing the network.

3. How can you mitigate broadcast storms and switching loops caused by introducing
redundant switches to your network?

Implement STP or one of its variations. Create VLANs to limit broadcast domains. Check physical
connections to make sure that cabling is correct so that switches are not perpetuating broadcasts and
routing loops within your network.
4. What is the IEEE standard for STP and some other STP variations, as mentioned in the
hyperlinks provided?

802.1D (STP), 802.1W (RSTP), and 802.1I (MST)

5. In answer to this scenario, what would be your first step (after visually checking your network)
to correcting the described network problem?

Three answers would be appropriate for this question.


• A network protocol analyzer could be used to check and map network traffic, thus identifying
what kind of network problem is present.
• Removing the new switch and its cables to isolate the problem might be a troubleshooting step.
• Checking each switch to make sure that STP is operational is another possible troubleshooting
step.

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