Which state are designated ports on non-root bridges typically in?

Designated ports on non-root bridges are typically in the forwarding state. This is because the designated port is the single port on a network segment that has the responsibility of forwarding traffic towards the root bridge. In the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), a port enters the forwarding state after it has gone through the listening and learning states and has been determined to be the best path to the root bridge for its associated network segment.

In the forwarding state, the designated port actively sends and receives data frames, ensuring effective communication across the network. This state plays a crucial role in preventing loops while allowing efficient data flow through the network.

While the listening and learning states perform important functions for ensuring network stability and loop prevention, they do not allow data transmission. In the blocking state, there is no data transmission either, as this port is disabled to prevent loops. Hence, the forwarding state is the one that enables designated ports to fulfill their role in facilitating communication in the network.