GE ML1200 instruction manual Vlan Registration over Garp, Gvrp Concepts

Digital Energy

Multilin

Multilink ML1200

Managed Field Switch

Chapter 11: VLAN Registration over GARP

11.1Overview

11.1.1 Description

The Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) and VLAN registration over GARP is called GVRP. GVRP is defined in the IEEE 802.1q and GARP in the IEEE 802.1p standards. To utilize the capabilities of GVRP, GE Multilin recommends that the user become familiar with the concepts and capabilities of IEEE 802.1q.

11.1.2 GVRP Concepts

GVRP makes it easy to propagate VLAN information across multiple switches. Without GVRP, a network administrator has to go to each individual switch and enable the necessary VLAN information or block specific VLANs so that the network integrity is maintained. With GVRP, this process can be automated.

It is critical that all switches share a common VLAN. This VLAN typically is the default VLAN (VID=1) on most switches and other devices. GVRP uses “GVRP Bridge Protocol Data Units” (“GVRP BPDUs”) to “advertise” static VLANs. We refer to GVRP BPDU is as an “advertisement”.

GVRP enables the MultiLink ML1200 Managed Field Switch to dynamically create 802.1q- compliant VLANs on links with other devices running GVRP. This enables the switch to automatically create VLAN links between GVRP-aware devices. A GVRP link can include intermediate devices that are not GVRP-aware. This operation reduces the chances for errors in VLAN configuration by automatically providing VLAN ID (VID) consistency across the network. GVRP can thus be used to propagate VLANs to other GVRP-aware devices instead of manually having to set up VLANs across the network. After the switch creates a dynamic VLAN, GVRP can also be used to dynamically enable port membership in static VLANs configured on a switch.

MULTILINK ML1200 MANAGED FIELD SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 11–1