Alternatives to STP

• An important aspect to network design is fast and predictable convergence when there is a failure or change in the topology. Spanning tree does not offer the same efficiencies and predictabilities provided by routing protocols at Layer 3
• Layer 3 routing allows for redundant paths in the topology, without blocking ports. For this reason, some networks are transitioning to Layer 3 everywhere except where devices connect to the access layer switch. In other words, the connections between access layer switches and distribution switches would be Layer 3 instead of Layer 2