1-1
1 GVRP Configuration
z The term switch used throughout this chapter refers to a switching device in a generic sense or the
switching engine of a unified switch in the WX3000 series.
z The sample output information in this manual was created on the WX3024. The output information
on your device may vary.
Introduction to GVRP
GARP VLAN registration protocol (GVRP) is an implementation of generic attribute registration protocol
(GARP). GARP is introduced as follows.
GARP
The generic attribute registration protocol (GARP), provides a mechanism that allows participants in a
GARP application to distribute, propagate, and register with other participants in a bridged LAN the
attributes specific to the GARP application, such as the VLAN or multicast attribute.
GARP itself does not exist on a device as an entity. GARP-compliant application entities are called
GARP applications. One example is GVRP. When a GARP application entity is present on a port on
your device, this port is regarded a GARP application entity.
GARP messages and timers
1) GARP messages
GARP members communicate with each other through the messages exchanged between them. The
messages performing important functions for GARP fall into three types: Join, Leave and LeaveAll.
z When a GARP entity wants its attribute information to be registered on other devices, it sends Join
messages to these devices. A GARP entity also sends Join messages when it receives Join
messages from other entities or it wants some of its statically configured attributes to be registered
on other GARP entities.
z When a GARP entity wants some of its attributes to be deregistered on other devices, it sends
Leave messages to these devices. A GARP entity also sends Leave messages when it receives
Leave messages from other entities for deregistering some attributes or it has some attributes
statically deregistered.
z Once a GARP entity is launched, the LeaveAll timer is triggered at the same time. The GARP entity
sends out LeaveAll messages after the timer times out. LeaveAll messages deregister all the
attributes, through which the attribute information of the entity can be registered again on the other
GARP entities.