Which of the following protocols is used to detect and eliminate switching loops within a network?

STP (IEEE 802.1D) operates at Layer 2 and prevents switching loops by placing redundant switch ports into a blocking state, allowing only one active path between any two network segments. It uses Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to detect loops and elects a root bridge to determine the loop-free topology.

EIGRP is a Layer 3 distance-vector routing protocol used for IP routing between routers, not for preventing Layer 2 switching loops.

OSPF is a Layer 3 link-state routing protocol used for inter-router routing, not for eliminating Layer 2 switching loops on switches.

Dynamic routing is a general category of routing protocols that manage Layer 3 path selection; it has no mechanism to detect or eliminate Layer 2 switching loops.