CCNA Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

In the context of the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), additional port roles play a crucial role in improving convergence times and network reliability. The correct answer, which mentions Backup Port and Alternate Port, highlights the expanded functionality brought by RSTP over the original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).

The Alternate Port role is assigned to a port that provides a backup path to the root bridge but is not the primary path used for forwarding packets. This port remains in a blocking state, ready to take over if the primary link fails, thus enhancing redundancy and reducing the time spent in the reconvergence phase.

The Backup Port, on the other hand, is linked to a segment with another designated port and serves as a secondary option for that network segment. If the designated port for that segment fails, the backup port can quickly take over the forwarding responsibilities, facilitating rapid recovery and minimizing downtime.

These roles are vital for ensuring efficient network performance by allowing faster transitions to active forwarding states, thereby streamlining network operations in the event of link failures or changes in topology.