Be able to identify RSTP port roles and states, explain MSTP instance 0 (CIST) behavior, recall the default bridge priority on EX Series switches, and describe why edge ports are configured on access ports. The key is knowing how a port reacts when BPDUs stop arriving.
Start practicing
Spanning Tree — choose a session length
Free · No account required
Domain overview
Spanning Tree on JNCIS-ENT covers RSTP, MSTP, VSTP, and BPDU protection on Juniper EX Series switches. Questions test port roles and states, bridge priority defaults, MSTP instance 0 (CIST) behavior, edge port configuration, and loop-prevention reactions when BPDUs stop arriving.
Exam objectives
RSTP port roles and states, including designated, root, alternate, and discarding transitions
MSTP instance 0 (CIST) operation and how it maps VLANs across regions
Default bridge priority on Juniper EX Series switches when RSTP is enabled
Edge port configuration on access ports and its effect on convergence and topology changes
Confusing RSTP alternate and backup port roles, or assuming a port that stops receiving BPDUs always becomes root.
Forgetting that MSTP instance 0 is the CIST and carries all VLANs not explicitly mapped to another instance.
Assuming edge ports still participate in spanning tree; they do not generate topology changes but still guard against loops.
Click any question to see the full explanation and answer options, or start a focused practice session above.
What is the default bridge priority value assigned to Juniper EX Series switches when RSTP is enabled?
2An administrator needs to configure MSTP on a group of EX Series switches. Which three parameters must be identical across all switches in the same MST region?
3You need to ensure that a core switch retains its position as the root bridge even if a new switch with a manually lowered bridge priority is added to the network. Which feature should you configure on the core switch's ports facing the downstream switches?
4While examining an RSTP topology, you notice that a designated port has suddenly stopped receiving BPDUs from its upstream neighbor, causing the port to transition into a discarding state to prevent potential loops. Which feature is actively providing this protection?
5What is the role of the Root Port in an RSTP topology?
6An enterprise network runs MSTP. Instance 0 is always reserved for which specific purpose?
7What is the primary function of the RSTP port role known as the 'Backup' port?
8When configuring MSTP, what purpose does the regional configuration digest serve?
9An operator configures RSTP across multiple EX Series switches. A rogue switch running legacy STP is connected to an RSTP switch. How does the RSTP switch handle interaction with the legacy STP switch?
10You need to modify the bridge priority of an EX Series switch running RSTP to ensure it becomes the root bridge. Which configuration command correctly sets the bridge priority to 4096?
11When a topology change occurs in an RSTP network, how are MAC address forwarding table entries affected across the switches?
12An administrator configures link aggregation (ae0) using LACP between two EX Series switches running RSTP. How does RSTP treat the aggregated interface ae0?
13An organization runs MSTP with multiple instances. A packet belonging to a VLAN that is not explicitly mapped to any MST instance is processed in which manner?
14What is the primary purpose of the Hello timer in RSTP?
15An EX Series switch running MSTP receives a BPDU from an upstream switch in a different MST region. How does the receiving switch identify the boundary between the two regions?
16You want to disable spanning tree protocol entirely on a specific access interface (ge-0/0/10.0) of an EX Series switch while keeping RSTP active globally. Which configuration command achieves this?
17An enterprise network uses MSTP. What is the function of the Internal Root in an MST region?
18What action does the 'set protocols rstp max-age <seconds>' command perform on a Juniper switch?
19When configuring MSTP, how is the regional maximum hop count enforced across switches within the same MST region?
20You are configuring an EX Series switch and want to set the forward delay timer to 15 seconds. Which command is used?
21An administrator configures root protection on a designated port. If that port subsequently receives a superior BPDU from another switch, what exact state does the port transition into?
22Which TWO port roles are defined in Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) but did not exist in legacy 802.1D STP? (Choose two.)
23Which TWO commands can be used to view spanning tree information on a Juniper EX Series switch? (Choose two.)
24What is the primary benefit of enabling edge port configuration on switch access ports connected to end devices?
25Which THREE parameters are included when calculating the MST region configuration digest? (Choose three.)
26Which TWO features help protect an RSTP topology from unauthorized switches or misconfigurations on access ports? (Choose two.)
27Which THREE states are defined in Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)? (Choose three.)
28Which TWO statements are correct regarding the operation of MSTP instance 0 (CIST)? (Choose two.)
29Which TWO mechanisms are utilized by RSTP to achieve rapid convergence compared to legacy 802.1D STP? (Choose two.)
30Which THREE parameters must match across all switches for them to successfully form a single MST region? (Choose three.)
31Which TWO commands are valid Junos configuration hierarchy paths for setting up RSTP? (Choose two.)
32Which THREE statements describe the function of the Designated Port in RSTP? (Choose three.)
33You notice that an access switch running RSTP is continually dropping user traffic because a connected end-user device is sending inferior BPDUs that trigger topology changes. Which Juniper feature should you configure on the access ports to protect against this behavior?
34You are configuring Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) across multiple EX Series switches in your enterprise network. Which three parameters must be identical across all switches to ensure they belong to the same MST region?
35Which TWO parameters are included when a Junos switch calculates the MST configuration digest? (Choose two.)
36You have an EX Series switch running RSTP. You notice that a port connected to a server is flapping between forwarding and discarding states. The server NIC is configured for teaming but is not sending BPDUs. You have configured the port as an edge port using 'set protocols rstp interface ge-0/0/5 edge'. However, the port still flaps. What is the most likely cause?
37You are troubleshooting an RSTP network. You notice that a port on an EX Series switch is flapping between Discarding and Forwarding states. You suspect a BPDU inconsistency. Which command would you use to check for BPDU inconsistencies on the switch?
38You have an EX Series switch running RSTP. You want to configure a port connected to a printer to immediately transition to forwarding without going through the learning state. Which configuration statement should you use?
Be able to identify RSTP port roles and states, explain MSTP instance 0 (CIST) behavior, recall the default bridge priority on EX Series switches, and describe why edge ports are configured on access ports. The key is knowing how a port reacts when BPDUs stop arriving.
The Courseiva JNCIS-ENT question bank contains 38 questions in the Spanning Tree domain. Click any question to see the full explanation and answer breakdown.
Start with a 10-question focused session to identify your baseline accuracy in this domain. Read every explanation — even for questions you answer correctly — to understand the reasoning. Once you score consistently above 80%, move to a 20–30 question session to confirm depth before moving to the next domain.
Yes — the session launcher on this page draws questions exclusively from the Spanning Tree domain. Choose 10, 20, 30, or 50 questions for a focused session, or click individual questions to review them one by one.
Save your results, see per-domain analytics, and get readiness scores — free, for every certification.
Sign Up FreeFree forever · Every certification included