What are the different port states in Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)?

In Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), there are three primary port states: Discarding, Learning, and Forwarding.

The Discarding state is where the port does not participate in frame forwarding and discards any received data frames. This is essential for preventing loops in the network topology, as frames are not allowed to move through these ports.

The Learning state allows the port to populate its MAC address table with the source addresses of received frames while still not forwarding any frames. This prepares the switch to efficiently forward frames by learning the network topology without introducing potential loops.

The Forwarding state enables the port to forward frames and participate in the normal switching operation. In this state, the port allows network traffic to pass freely, making it integral for data communication within the network.

All these states working together allow RSTP to quickly adapt to changes in the network topology while preventing loops, which is crucial for maintaining a robust and efficient Ethernet network. Thus, the correct answer encompasses all of these port states, affirming that they are fundamental components of RSTP's functionality.