A very important networking algorithm (the [spanning tree protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanning-tree_protocol)) can very well be considered graph theory. In the original work (Radia Perlman, *An algorithm for distributed computation of a spanningtree in an extended LAN*, SIGCOMM '85 Proceedings of the ninth symposium on Data communications) the algorithm is summarized as follows: **Algorhyme** I think that I shall never seea graph more lovely than a tree. A tree whose crucial propertyis loop-free connectivity. A tree that must be sure to spanso packets can reach every LAN. First, the root must be selected. By ID, it is elected. Least-cost paths from root are traced. In the tree, these paths are placed. A mesh is made by folks like me, then bridges find a spanning tree.