After evaluating and completing support for high-definition IP cameras to enhance security for a college campus, you have completed a design of the network switching infrastructure that fully supports both the existing data traffic and the additional HD camera traffic according to requirements. Last week, you discussed your template of configurations with the network manager.

Over the past couple of months, the university has experienced a number of issues with layer 2 loops and the loss of VLAN's. We discovered that a student connected a switch that was purchased at a local garage sale to the network, and inadvertently bridged the network, causing a Layer 2 loop. The switch also wiped out the VLAN's on the upstream switches.

Your manager is concerned with the network's inability to self-heal when experiencing these types of network issues. As the network engineer, he has asked you to do a network assessment on the network's health and how to prepare the network for any future STP and VTP issues.

Design Requirements

Your team's configuration template should address each of the following requirements:

1. Layer 2 spanning-tree hardening; and

2. VTP standardization

Deliverables

You are required to prepare a detailed network report for your manager at the next scheduled meeting.

Your report should:

1. Describe in detail all issues associated with layer 2 loops and VTP; and

2. Present best design practices to minimize layer 2 loops and VTP;