The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology

Network topology

Network topology is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements of a computer or biological network....

 for any bridged

Bridging (networking)

Bridging is a forwarding technique used in packet-switched computer networks. Unlike routing, bridging makes no assumptions about where in a network a particular address is located. Instead, it depends on flooding and examination of source addresses in received packet headers to locate unknown...

 Ethernet

Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....

 local area network

Local area network

A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...

. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation

Broadcast radiation

Broadcast radiation is the accumulation of broadcast and multicast traffic on a computer network. Extreme amounts of broadcast traffic constitute a broadcast storm. A broadcast storm can consume sufficient network resources so as to render the network unable to transport normal traffic.-Causes:Most...

. Spanning tree also allows a network design

Network planning and design

Network planning and design is an iterative process, encompassingtopological design, network-synthesis, and network-realization, and is aimed at ensuring that a new network or service meets the needs of the subscriber and operator....

 to include spare (redundant) links to provide automatic backup paths if an active link fails, without the danger of bridge loops, or the need for manual enabling/disabling of these backup links.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is standardized as IEEE 802.1D

IEEE 802.1D

802.1D is the IEEE MAC Bridges standard which includes Bridging, Spanning Tree and others. It is standardized by the IEEE 802.1 working group. It includes details specific to linking many of the other 802 projects including the widely deployed 802.3 , 802.11 and 802.16 standards.VLANs are not...

.