Explore the fundamentals of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in this comprehensive mini-course and hands-on lab. Learn about the purpose of STP, root bridge selection process, various port roles, and how costs and priorities affect network topology. Dive into spanning-tree port states, discover the improvements introduced by Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP/802.1w), and understand the concept of Per-VLAN Spanning Tree (PVST). Gain practical experience through interactive labs to reinforce your understanding of this crucial network protocol used to prevent loops in switched networks.