300-420 Question 98
Single answerA company is designing a new enterprise network and wants to implement loop-free technologies to optimize Layer 2 switching and reduce convergence times during failures. Which technology should they use to achieve a loop-free topology while maintaining redundancy?
- A
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
- B
EtherChannel with LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol)
- C
FabricPath
- D
Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
FabricPath is the correct answer because it is designed specifically to provide a loop-free Layer 2 topology by using a routing-based approach. Traditional spanning-tree-based solutions, like RSTP, still require blocking ports to prevent loops, which can lead to inefficient use of resources. EtherChannel with LACP and HSRP offer redundancy but do not inherently prevent Layer 2 loops like FabricPath does.
- A. Incorrect.
RSTP provides faster convergence compared to traditional STP but still relies on blocking ports to prevent loops, which does not achieve a true loop-free topology.
- B. Incorrect.
EtherChannel with LACP provides link aggregation and redundancy, but it operates at Layer 2 and cannot eliminate the possibility of loops without additional mechanisms like STP.
- C. Correct.
FabricPath is a Cisco technology that creates a loop-free topology using a Layer 2 routing protocol based on TRILL (Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links). It eliminates blocked ports and provides efficient, loop-free forwarding.
- D. Incorrect.
HSRP is a Layer 3 redundancy protocol for default gateways and does not address Layer 2 loops.