In the Listening state of STP, what does the switch do with MAC addresses?

In the Listening state of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), the switch is primarily focused on preventing loops within the network topology. During this state, the switch does not add or modify any MAC addresses in its MAC address table.

The main functions of the Listening state include ensuring that no loops exist by listening to the Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) from other switches, and determining the best path to the root bridge. While the switch is actively listening to other switches, it refrains from learning new MAC addresses or making any changes to its MAC address table.

This behavior is crucial for STP, as it helps maintain stability in the network while the switch transitions between different states. By not modifying the MAC address table, the switch can avoid potential errors that could arise from temporarily unstable topologies as they converge toward a loop-free state.