Overview

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) simplifies VLAN management by allowing an administrator to create, delete, or rename a VLAN on one 'Server' switch and have those changes propagate to all other switches in the VTP domain.

VTP Modes

  • Server: Can create/modify/delete VLANs and sends advertisements.
  • Client: Receives advertisements and updates its VLAN database; cannot modify VLANs.
  • Transparent: Does not participate in VTP but forwards advertisements to other switches.
  • Off: Ignores VTP advertisements.

Risks

A switch with a higher Configuration Revision Number can accidentally overwrite the VLAN database of an entire network if added incorrectly.

Related Terms