If looped Layer 2 broadcast messages accumulate and congest a network, what is this called?

When looped Layer 2 broadcast messages are continually transmitted across a network, they can create a condition where excessive traffic overwhelms the network's resources. This phenomenon is known as a broadcast storm. A broadcast storm occurs due to the uncontrolled repetition of broadcast packets, which can result from network loops that cause broadcast packets to circulate endlessly.

In an Ethernet network, each device on a network segment receives each broadcast message, and if there is a loop, those devices will keep processing the message and sending it out, leading to a significant increase in the overall traffic. This can degrade network performance to the point where legitimate traffic cannot get through, effectively paralyzing the network.

The other terms have specific meanings that do not directly describe the situation of accumulating Layer 2 broadcast messages. Traffic flood refers to a general condition of excessive traffic but does not specifically imply the nature of broadcast messages looping. A network loop refers to the physical arrangement in which multiple paths exist between devices but does not encompass the broader impact of excessive broadcast traffic. A collision domain is a network segment where packet collisions can occur, primarily in half-duplex Ethernet networks, but this does not relate to the congestion caused by broadcast storm activity.