How does root protection protect your network?

Root protection is designed to maintain the stability of a network by preventing certain ports from becoming designated ports during the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) process. When root protection is configured on a switch port, it ensures that if a superior Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) is received on that port, the port will transition to the blocking state. This action effectively prevents the port from participating in the STP process, thus safeguarding against potential loops and topology changes that could disrupt the network.

By blocking those ports that attempt to introduce a new root bridge—which could ultimately weaken the overall network design—root protection helps to ensure that the existing root bridge remains stable and in control. Overall, this feature is crucial for maintaining a reliable and predictable STP environment.

The other options do not accurately represent the function of root protection. Modifying the STP bridge priority or negotiating bridge priorities does not inherently provide stability or protection in the same direct manner that blocking certain ports does. Ignoring superior BPDUs might seem relevant, but the essence of root protection specifically revolves around the behavior of protected ports transitioning to a blocking state.