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200-301 · Question #822

In which STP state does MAC address learning take place on a PortFast-enabled port?

The correct answer is D. forwarding. On a PortFast-enabled port, MAC address learning occurs directly in the forwarding state because these ports bypass the initial STP states.

Submitted by chen.hong· Mar 5, 2026Network Access

Question

In which STP state does MAC address learning take place on a PortFast-enabled port?

Options

  • Alearning
  • Blistening
  • Cdiscarding
  • Dforwarding

How the community answered

(31 responses)
  • A
    3% (1)
  • B
    3% (1)
  • D
    94% (29)

Why each option

On a PortFast-enabled port, MAC address learning occurs directly in the forwarding state because these ports bypass the initial STP states.

Alearning

The learning state is where MAC addresses are typically learned, but PortFast-enabled ports are configured to skip this state to provide immediate network access.

Blistening

The listening state is where a port processes BPDUs to determine its role but does not learn MAC addresses or forward user traffic; PortFast bypasses this state.

Cdiscarding

The discarding state (or blocking state) prevents loops by dropping frames and does not allow MAC address learning or forwarding of user traffic.

DforwardingCorrect

PortFast-enabled ports are designed to connect to end devices and immediately transition to the forwarding state upon link-up, bypassing the typical listening and learning states of STP. Therefore, MAC address learning takes place once the port is already forwarding user traffic, as it assumes no loops are present.

Concept tested: STP PortFast States

Source: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/3se/layer2/configuration_guide/b_layer2_3se_3850_cg/b_layer2_3se_3850_cg_chapter_0100.html#concept_E4B9BF820986427382E47BE41725597E

Topics

#STP#PortFast#MAC address learning

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