What is a benefit of PortFast configured on a Cisco switch port?
- It allows a device connected to this port to access the network without waiting for STP convergence on each VLAN.
- It minimizes the time that trunk ports must wait for spanning tree to converge.
- It allows the port to avoid a 30 second delay to access the network by immediately transitioning from disabled to forwarding state.
- It avoids the creation of a spanning tree loop with other directly connected switches.
Explanation: When a switch port is configured with PortFast, that port transitions from blocking to forwarding state immediately, bypassing the usual 802.1D STP transition states (the listening and learning states) and avoiding a 30 second delay. You can use PortFast on access ports to allow devices connected to these ports, such as DHCP clients, to access the network immediately, rather than waiting for IEEE 802.1D STP to converge on each VLAN.
Related exam: CCNA (200-301) Certification Practice Exam (ENSA v7.0)
