Final answer:
A Bridge ID is created by combining the bridge priority, extended system ID, and MAC address, and is critical in the operation of network protocols like Spanning Tree Protocol to uniquely identify switches and prevent network loops.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three components combined to form a Bridge ID are:
- Bridge priority
- Extended system ID
- MAC address
A Bridge ID is used in network protocols, such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), to prevent loops in a network topology by identifying each switch uniquely. The bridge priority is a value that is used in the STP algorithm to elect a root bridge; the lowest priority means higher chance to become the root bridge. The extended system ID is a component that has been added to include the VLAN ID in the Bridge ID, making it possible to run STP per VLAN. Lastly, the MAC address ensures a unique identifier for the bridge since MAC addresses are unique to each network interface card (NIC).