350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is deploying a new Cisco Catalyst switch and needs to implement a loop prevention mechanism that allows rapid convergence and supports multiple VLANs. The engineer decides to use Rapid PVST+. Which statement accurately describes a characteristic of Rapid PVST+ operation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Rapid PVST+ with MSTP or single-instance STP, or assuming it lacks per-VLAN capabilities or RSTP interoperability.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It provides separate spanning-tree instances for each VLAN and uses Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) enhancements for faster convergence.
Rapid PVST+ is a Cisco enhancement that runs a separate RSTP instance per VLAN. It uses RSTP's rapid convergence features like edge ports and proposal/agreement, while maintaining per-VLAN topology. This allows for fast failover and load balancing across VLANs. The other options mischaracterize its operation, such as claiming a single instance or lack of interoperability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It requires all switches in the network to be configured with the same bridge priority to ensure consistent root election.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ does not require all switches to have the same bridge priority. In fact, bridge priority is used to influence root bridge election; having the same priority on all switches can lead to unpredictable root selection based on MAC address. Proper design involves setting a lower priority on the desired root bridge. Therefore, this statement is false.
- ✗
It uses a single spanning-tree instance for all VLANs, which simplifies configuration but reduces flexibility.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ runs a separate spanning-tree instance for each VLAN, not a single instance for all VLANs. A single instance for all VLANs describes MSTP when configured with a single region and one instance, or legacy PVST without per-VLAN separation. Using a single instance would not provide the per-VLAN load balancing and flexibility that Rapid PVST+ offers, so this statement is incorrect.
- ✓
It provides separate spanning-tree instances for each VLAN and uses Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) enhancements for faster convergence.
Why this is correct
Rapid PVST+ is Cisco's implementation of RSTP that runs a separate instance per VLAN. It incorporates RSTP mechanisms such as edge ports, link-type point-to-point, and proposal/agreement to achieve rapid convergence. This allows per-VLAN topology optimization and fast failover, making it suitable for modern switched networks with multiple VLANs.
- ✗
It is compatible only with switches running IEEE 802.1D STP and cannot interoperate with RSTP devices.
Why it's wrong here
Rapid PVST+ is based on IEEE 802.1w RSTP and can interoperate with RSTP devices. It also supports backward compatibility with 802.1D STP through mechanisms like the version field in BPDUs. However, when interoperating with 802.1D, rapid convergence benefits may be lost on ports connected to those devices. The statement that it cannot interoperate with RSTP devices is incorrect.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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