Free CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Practice Question

The primary function of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is to prevent network loops that can occur in a redundant network topology. By creating a tree structure that spans all switches in a network, STP ensures that there is only one active path between any two network nodes, blocking redundant paths that could create loops. This is crucial because loops in a network can lead to duplicate frames, overwhelming network resources, and leading to broadcast storms which degrade or halt network performance.