Loop protection is a loop detection and prevention method which is independent of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and is not disabled when the switch is in switchport backup mode or port is in discarding state. The LoopProtect agent has a method to detect loops and take action based on the configuration by the user. In order to find loops in the system, a loop detection frame is sent out periodically on each interface that loop protection is enabled on. The frame carries broadcast destination MAC address, bridge MAC source address, OUI Extended EtherType 0x88b7 as well as information to specify the origins of the packet.