An apparatus for optimization for Spanning Tree Protocol (“STP”) data network includes an egress filter setting circuit in a first network node that sets an egress filter to discard data packets at an egress port of the first network node connected to a second network node in response to receiving an egress filter bridge protocol data unit (“BPDU”) message from the second network node indicating that a link between the first network node and the second network node is a redundant link. The network nodes are layer-2 STP bridges. The apparatus includes, in the first network node, an egress filter timeout circuit that resets a timer in response to receiving the egress filter BPDU message, and a filter clear circuit that clears the egress filter to allow data packets to be sent from the egress port to the second network node in response to the timer reaching a timeout.