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350-401 Practice Question: Which three statements about the Multiple…
Which three statements about the Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) are true? (Choose three.)
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
✓
MSTP allows multiple VLANs to be mapped to a single spanning-tree instance.
MSTP (802.1s) allows mapping multiple VLANs to a single spanning-tree instance, reducing the number of STP instances needed. It uses an internal spanning tree (IST) to interconnect MST regions. MSTP is backward compatible with 802.1D and RSTP through the use of common spanning tree (CST) at the region boundary. MSTP does not require a separate instance for every VLAN like PVST+; it groups VLANs into instances. MSTP uses the same BPDU format as RSTP with additional MST-specific information.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MSTP allows multiple VLANs to be mapped to a single spanning-tree instance.
Why this is correct
Correct because MSTP reduces the number of STP instances by grouping VLANs, improving scalability.
- ✓
MSTP uses an Internal Spanning Tree (IST) to interconnect MST regions.
Why this is correct
Correct because the IST is the spanning tree that runs within an MST region and connects to the CST outside.
- ✓
MSTP is backward compatible with 802.1D and RSTP.
Why this is correct
Correct because MSTP can interoperate with legacy STP and RSTP by using the common spanning tree (CST) at region boundaries.
- ✗
MSTP requires a separate spanning-tree instance for every VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because that describes PVST+, not MSTP; MSTP groups VLANs into instances.
- ✗
MSTP uses a different BPDU format than RSTP.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because MSTP uses the same BPDU format as RSTP but includes additional fields for MSTI information.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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