root ports VS designated ports

rakem

Im having some trouble differentiating between root ports and designated ports. I know that a root port is the port that connects directly to the root bridge, which means that it has the lowest cost back to the root bridge.

but what does a designated port do? i know they forward data, are they something like the best port to reacha root port through or something??

thanks

cisco_trouble

A root port is a port that has the least cost to the root bridge and its desginated i.e. its in forwarding state.

A designated port, a port placed into forwarding state. Designated ports are assigned once STP calculated the BID, comparing the mac and priorities.

hope it helps