What does a switch do when it is in the Learning state?

In the Learning state, a switch primarily focuses on building its MAC address table. During this phase, the switch listens to incoming frames and records the source MAC addresses and their associated port numbers. This capability is essential for efficient packet forwarding, as it allows the switch to know where to send frames directly rather than broadcasting them to all ports.

While in the Learning state, the switch does not forward frames to other devices; rather, it is involved in gathering information necessary for making intelligent forwarding decisions. The switch remains vigilant for incoming traffic, but its primary role is to develop an understanding of the network topology by creating the MAC address table.

This state is part of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) process, which involves transitioning between different states (Listening, Learning, Forwarding, and Blocking) to prevent network loops. The Learning state is crucial for ensuring that the switch has accurate information on where devices are located within the network.