Do interfaces in a Forwarding state learn MAC addresses?

In a Forwarding state, interfaces are actively involved in packet transmission. This means they can learn MAC addresses from incoming frames, which are essential for building and updating a MAC address table. When a switch receives a frame, it examines the source MAC address and associates it with the port where the frame was received. This learning process is crucial for efficient switching because it allows the switch to forward frames to the correct destination without flooding all ports.

The Forwarding state signifies that the interface is operational and can both send and receive frames, thus facilitating the learning of MAC addresses as part of its normal operation. This learning capability is vital to prevent broadcast storms and ensure that frames are sent only to the intended recipients based on MAC address maps, enhancing network efficiency.

In contrast, interfaces in other states—like Blocking or Listening—do not learn MAC addresses, as they are not permitted to forward frames or might be in a transitional state where they do not actively participate in the switching decision process.