Do interfaces in a Learning state send or receive regular network traffic?

In the Learning state of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), interfaces do not send or receive regular network traffic. Instead, their primary function during this state is to learn the MAC addresses of the devices connected to the network. This is done by observing the source addresses of incoming packets. However, while they are in the Learning state, interfaces do not forward traffic, meaning they're not actively passing data frames along to the rest of the network.

The purpose of this state is to prevent loops within the network by ensuring that the switch understands the topology and knows where to send traffic when interfaces eventually transition to the Forwarding state. This learning process is crucial to building the MAC address table and helps maintain network stability and efficiency once the network is fully operational.

In contrast, interfaces in other states, such as Forwarding, actively send and receive traffic, whereas interfaces in the Blocking state do not forward any traffic at all. Therefore, the assertion that interfaces in the Learning state do not engage in regular traffic handling is accurate and aligns with the intended function of STP states.