STP - Designated Port

homerj742

I'm not clear on what the function of a Designated port is...can some one please elaborate for me???

I know the Root Port is the shortest cost path to the root bridge.

BubbaJ

The designated port is the port that will forward traffic for a segment. For example, if you have two or more switches on a network segment, one of the switches wil be the designated switch for that segment. The port on that switch for that segment is the designated port, and is the only switch port to forward user traffic.

You don't want more than one of the switches to forward that traffic because it may be duplicated at the receiving end, or it may loop forever.

Ching01

Just remember a DESIGNATED PORT is a way up to the ROOT PORT
Remember all port on the ROOT PORT are in all FORWARDING STATE

If you want to have a back up connection port use etherchannel

kplab

Some more information about STP:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps628/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a008047630e.html#wp1041529