What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Vtp?

What is VTP in networking: VLAN Trunking Protocol
- VTP full form in networking
- What is VTP in Networking?
- VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) Components
  - What is VTP Domain
  - What is VTP Pruning
- VTP Modes
  - What is VTP Server Mode
  - What is VTP Customer Manner
  - What is VTP Transparent Mode
- How VTP Works beyond Inter switch links
- Advantages and Disadvantages of VTP (VLANs Trunking Protocol)
- VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) Versions
  - What is VTP version 3?
- Requirement for VTP protocol on cisco switch
- VTP Cisco Configuration Steps
- Determination
- Ofttimes Asked Questions

What is VTP in networking: VLAN Trunking Protocol

If you are a network administrator, then y'all should know that managing VLANs tin be time-consuming and prone to mistakes in large networks with numerous interconnected switches. The VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) lets y'all manage your VLANs from a central device, with the resulting configuration distributed automatically to other devices. Yous tin save fourth dimension and avert errors by using the VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP). In this blog mail, nosotros will discuss What is VTP in networking, what problems it solves, information technology's core components and the existent benefits of using this protocol in your network.

Before diving in, I highly encourage you to read my previous posts well-nigh VLANs and VLANs tagged vs. untagged.

VTP full form in networking

VTP stands for VLAN Trunking Protocol

What is VTP in Networking?

VTP is a Cisco proprietary layer2 messaging protocol that allows for the dynamic management of VLANs on a network. Information technology is used to propagate VLAN configurations across a network and ensure that all network switches have VLAN configuration consistency.

VTP is enabled by default on all Cisco switches and the default fashion is server.

Let united states of america understand the VTP concept by this sample network topology.

What is VTP - VTP vs Non-VTP Environment Comparison — VTP vs Non-VTP Surround Comparison

We took a sample utilize instance where nosotros accept iv switches in our network and we have to configure 100 VLANs (2-101) on all four switches. I accept compared this use instance in the beneath table when we configured all VLANs without VTP and one where we have used VTP to configure all VLANs.

VTP is a clear winner, it volition not just relieve your time but will also reduce transmission mistakes.

VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) Components

Below are VTP components:-

What is VTP Domain

VTP enables the direction of VLAN configuration (Vlan addition, deletion, etc.) from a single switch in an enterprise network. These modifications are then distributed to all switches in the VTP domain.

VTP domain is a collection of switches set with the same VTP domain string. If two or more switches are linked merely their VTP domains are set differently, they will not exchange VLAN information. And so it is essential to set the same domain proper name on all switches to which you are intended to laissez passer VLAN data.

A switch can simply exist in one VTP domain at a fourth dimension; by default, the VTP domain is goose egg.

There is no way to restore a switch's VTP domain to null once information technology has been inverse to something other than null. The only way to do and so is to erase the configuration and reboot the device.

Note: Switches volition not negotiate body protocols with mismatched VTP domains.

If you want to constitute a torso link between switches with mismatched VTP domains, their trunk port must be set to manner trunk across the entire network.

What is VTP Pruning

VTP can cause bug on large or congested networks by sending unnecessary traffic across trunks.

Broadcasts make up a significant portion of traffic on a VLAN and can leave valuable bandwidth wasted on trunks across the entire network.

VTP pruning prevents traffic from a specific VLAN from being forwarded to switches where that VLAN is not active (i.e., switches with no ports connected and configured for that VLAN).

VTP pruning must be activated or disabled across the whole VTP domain. Incorrect VTP pruning configuration might cause network instabilities.

Past default, all VLANs upward to VLAN 1001 can be pruned, except for VLAN one, which you cannot clip at all. Because VTP does not accept extended VLANs over VLAN 1001, y'all cannot prune VLANs to a higher place 1001. CatOS supports VLAN pruning between 2 and 1000.

If you enable VTP pruning on a VTP server, it will automatically be enabled for the entire domain.

VTP Modes

VTP operates in one of three modes, and the default VTP mode is server mode.

Server fashion

Client style

Transparent mode

What is VTP Server Mode

A switch in VTP server mode can create and manage VLANs.

A VTP server propagates VLAN configuration information to all other switches in the network.

For a switch to become a VTP server, you must first configure it in server mode.

A VTP server will maintain a copy of the VLAN database and add together, delete, or modify VLANs as required.

What is VTP Customer Mode

A VTP client mode switch tin merely receive VLAN information from a VTP server but cannot create or manage VLANs.

A VTP client is configured with the aforementioned VTP domain, password, and version as a VTP server. The client also must be in the same management domain every bit the server.

A VTP customer can only receive VLAN information from a VTP server. A VTP client cannot create or manage VLANs.

What is VTP Transparent Mode

A switch in a VTP transparent mode only forwards VLAN updates received from other switches but does not modify them.

In transparent way, a VTP client behaves the aforementioned as in client fashion simply also forwards VTP messages received from other switches. In other words, a VTP transparent switch forrad VLAN data between VTP servers and clients.

Stick a table explaining all VTP modes.

You tin refer to the below table to quickly sympathize the divergence between VTP modes.

How VTP Works beyond Inter switch links

Every five minutes or whenever there is a change in VLAN configurations, VTP advertisements are flooded throughout the management domain.

VTP advertisements are sent using multicast frames over the default VLAN (VLAN 1). In addition, a configuration revision number is included in a VTP advertisement. A higher configuration revision number indicates that the advertised VLAN data is more up-to-date than locally stored.

Earlier incorporating the received VLAN information, a device that receives VTP advertisements must check some parameters, including VTP domain name, VTP countersign (if configured), and configuration revision number.

The configuration revision number is a vital part of VTP. When a VTP server modifies VLAN information, it increments the configuration revision number past ane. The VTP server then broadcasts a new configuration revision number.

Goad switches effect summary advertisements in five-infinitesimal increments by default. In addition, they inform nearby switches of the electric current VTP domain name and configuration revision number.

When a switch receives a summary advertising packet, it compares the VTP domain name to its own. If the domain name is different, the switch ignores the packet. If the names friction match, the switch compares the configuration revision to its own. The package is ignored if its configuration revision is college or equivalent. If information technology's lower, an advert request is submitted.

In VTP transparent mode, the revision number is always 0.

Quick Trick – To reset the configuration revision number on a Cisco Catalyst switch, either alter the switch mode to transparent and then dorsum to server or client using the global configuration manner control vtp manner [server | client | transparent], or change the VTP domain proper name and and then set it back using the global configuration mode control vtp domain proper name.

Advantages and Disadvantages of VTP (VLANs Trunking Protocol)

The VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) is a Cisco proprietary protocol that manages and propagates VLAN configurations on a layer2 switched network. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using VTP in your network.

VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) Versions

There are three versions of the VLAN Trunking Protocol: version 1, version 2, and version iii.

Version i is the original specification for VTP.

Version ii adds several features to VTP, including support for extended VLANs and transparent mode.

Version 3 is the latest and has all bells and whistles.

What is VTP version 3?

VTP version 3 is the latest and an enhancement of VTP versions one and 2.

VTP version 3 adds the post-obit features into VTP versions ane and 2

Yous can disable VTP by turning it to mode OFF.
VTPv3 is backward compatible and can work with VTPv2 and VTPv1, providing more than flexibility when upgrading a network.
Faster convergence – Convergence time is decreased with the addition of VTPv3, making the network more responsive to changes
Better Hallmark
Back up for extended VLANs (1006-4094). VTP v1 and v2 support only VLAN from 1 to 1006.
Individual VLAN back up.
Y'all can configure a VTP principal server and VTP secondary server, which provides better redundancy designs.
You lot tin can configure VTP v3 on a per-port basis.
It supports the Multiple Spanning Tree (MST) Protocol.
VTP v3 protects the VLAN database when new switches are added to the network.

Requirement for VTP protocol on cisco switch

The VTP protocol is responsible for managing the VLAN database on switches. At that place are a few requirements that you must encounter for the VTP protocol to function correctly.

The first requirement is that all switches in the network must be running the same VTP revision number. If one switch runs a different revision number, it volition not synchronize its VLAN database with the other switches.
The second requirement is that the switches are connected in a loop-free topology. If there is a loop in the network, the VTP protocol will not function correctly.
The third requirement is to configure all switches with the aforementioned domain name. If one switch doesn't have that configuration, then it will probably break something, and you'll see pocket-sized inconsistencies may occur on the console or in the log files.
The 4th requirement is that VTP authentication must match between switches.

VTP Cisco Configuration Steps

Cisco IOS

The vtp domain configuration command is used to fix or change the VTP domain:

Cisco IOS VTP Configuration

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp domain Afroz-Lab

Changing VTP domain proper name from Nothing to Afroz-Lab

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp way ?

client Ready the device to client style.

server Prepare the device to server manner.

transparent Set the device to transparent mode.

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp mode customer

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp mode transparent

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp mode server

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp password Simplepass

Switch-IOS(config)#vtp pruning

Pruning switched on

In IOS, you can configure which VLANs are prune-eligible at the interface level. On each trunking interface on the switch where pruning is desired, run the command switchport trunk pruning VLAN:

Switch-IOS(config-if)#switchport trunk pruning vlan ?

Discussion VLAN IDs of the allowed VLANs when this port is in trunking manner

add add VLANs to the current list

except all VLANs except the following

none no VLANs

remove remove VLANs from the electric current list

Switch-IOS(config-if)#switchport trunk pruning vlan 50

Show vtp status command to check the VTP status and configuration.

Switch-IOS# show vtp status

To see which VLANs on a trunk are eligible for pruning, use the show inter face up interface-id switchport command.

Switch-IOS# show interface Gig1/0/ane switchport

Cisco Cat-Os VTP Configuration

Switch-CatOS# (enable)set vtp domain Afroz-Lab

VTP domain Afroz-Lab modified

Switch-CatOS# (enable)prepare vtp mode ?

customer VTP client mode

off VTP off

server VTP server mode

transparent VTP transparent mode

Switch-CatOS# (enable)set up vtp mode server

Switch-CatOS#set vtp passwd Simplepass

Switch-CatOS# (enable)ready vtp pruning enable

Switch-CatOS# (enable)set vtp pruneeligible l

Cisco NX-Os

Cisco NX-Os only supports VTP transparent manner or OFF mode. Delight check the cisco documentation for the latest information.

Because the switches only operate in transparent or off modes, NX-OS does not support VTP Pruning and VTP passwords.

Cisco NX-OS VTP configuration

config t

Nexus-9K(config)# characteristic vtp –> Enable the characteristic VTP first

Nexus-9K(config)# vtp domain Afroz-Lab

Decision

In this post, we have discussed what is VTP in networking, its components, its benefits, and drawbacks. In short, VTP is a protocol used to allow Cisco switches to exchange VLAN information across the network. It is worth noting that VTP is a proprietary protocol and not an IEEE standard.

Delight share this commodity so that it reaches people who are searching for it.

Ofttimes Asked Questions

How exercise I disable VTP?

On Cisco switches, you cannot entirely disable VTP; the best you tin do is identify your switch in VTP transparent mode.

What is VTP and its types?

VTP is used to centrally manage VLAN configuration ( addition, deletion, etc) from a single switch known as a VTP server.

VTP has three types.

VTP server

VTP Client

VTP TRansparent

Can you have ii VTP servers?

Yeah, with VTP version three, it is possible to accept ii VTP Servers in a unmarried VTP domain. Information technology is oft recommended for better redundancy designs.

What is VTP traps generation?

By default, the VTP trap is disabled. When this feature is enabled, an SNMP message is generated whenever a new VTP message is sent.

You can use the beneath command to send traps to an SNMP server.

Switch(config)# snmp-server enable traps vtp

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My name is Afroz. I am a CCIE, and I accept been working in Networking Manufacture for more 14 years. Currently, I work as a Network Designer for a large System. I write nigh technical topics and challenges a Network engineer faces in 24-hour interval-to-day life in my blog. I honey to teach people, and I believe in the simple concept that teaching makes you a better learner.