This read-only enumeration (congested, not-congested) indicates whether the number of broadcast packets in packet buffer memory has exceeded the rising threshold and not yet dropped below the falling threshold. An admin monitors this as a direct real-time flag of broadcast-storm conditions on the switch, distinct from the raw packet count itself. For example, an admin's monitoring system alerting on this object transitioning to congested(1) would immediately flag a broadcast-storm event on that switch for investigation.