Question

In which two port states does a switch learn MAC addresses and process BPDUs in a PVST network? (Choose two.)

a) Blocking
b) Learning
c) Forwarding
d) Listening

Answer 1

In a PVST network, switches learn MAC addresses and process BPDUs in the Learning and Forwarding port states. The Learning state allows the switch to learn MAC addresses, while the Forwarding state enables it to both learn and forward frames and process BPDUs.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a PVST (Per-VLAN Spanning Tree) network, a switch learns MAC addresses and processes BPDUs (Bridge Protocol Data Units) in two specific port states: the Learning and Forwarding states. In the Learning state, the switch learns MAC addresses from the incoming traffic but does not yet forward frames. In the Forwarding state, the switch has completed the learning process and forwards frames, as well as listens to and processes BPDUs. These two states are part of the spanning tree process, which prevents loops in a network by establishing a loop-free logical topology for Ethernet networks.