Do interfaces in a Learning state send or receive BPDUs?

In the Learning state of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), interfaces do indeed send and receive Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). This state is a critical phase of STP where the switch continues to learn about the network topology while preventing loops.

During the Learning state, the switch transitions from blocking to a state where it can learn the MAC addresses of devices connected to its ports. In this phase, the switch listens to BPDUs from other switches in the network to understand their bridge ID, port ID, and path cost. This information helps the switch to make informed decisions on how to configure its own forwarding database, enabling it to eventually transition to the Forwarding state when it determines that it can safely forward traffic without creating loops.

Thus, interfaces in the Learning state perform essential functions concerning BPDUs, as the knowledge gained during this phase is fundamental to the stability and efficiency of the overall network topology management.