Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) Practice Exam

The default Hello Time in Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is indeed 2 seconds. Hello Time is the interval at which the Root Bridge sends out Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to communicate its presence and maintain the topology of the network. This 2-second interval allows the network to quickly react to topology changes, ensuring that switches can be informed of the current network state and make necessary adjustments to prevent loops.

The relatively short Hello Time is beneficial for maintaining a stable and responsive network, as it allows for quicker detection of changes in network status. If the Hello Time were longer, like 10 seconds or 15 seconds, it would potentially slow down the convergence process, delaying the time it takes for switches to adapt to changes in the network topology. Thus, the choice of a 2-second interval is a design decision aimed at balancing network stability and responsiveness.