Formal specification of Spanning Tree Protocol using ACP

Abstract

Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) has nowadays been implemented by most manufacturers in order to avoid loops in bridged networks. IEEE 802.1D STP is the original standard and it is run as a distributed algorithm by every bridge. In this paper we propose a formal specification of that STP by using a Process Algebra named Algebra of Communicating Processes (ACP), following a manual approach. Furthermore, STP protocol verification has been performed, both in a formal and in an informal way.