A network switch, which is participating in VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), can have three different modes.

• Server Mode

• Client Mode

• Transparent Mode

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Server Mode

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) server mode is the default VTP mode for all Catalyst switches. At least one server is required in a VTP domain to propagate VLAN information within the domain. We can create, add, or delete VLANs on a VTP domain VTP Server and change VLAN information in a VTP Server. The changes made in a switch in server mode are advertised to the entire VTP domain.

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Client Mode

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) client mode switches listen to VTP advertisements from other switches and modify their VLAN configurations accordingly. A network switch in VTP client mode requires a server switch to inform it about the VLAN changes. We CANNOT create, add, or delete VLANs in a VTP client.

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Transparent Mode

VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) transparent mode switches do not participate in the VTP domain, but VTP transparent mode switches can receive and forward VTP advertisements through the configured trunk links.

 

 

Related Topics...

• What is Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)

• Advantages of VLAN

• VLAN Membership Types

• How to create and name static VLAN

• How to view VLAN information

• Types of VLAN connection links - Trunk Links and Access Links

• VLAN Frame Tagging

• Inter-Switch Link (ISL) VLAN Tagging

• IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging

• How to configure VLAN trunk link and native VLAN

• How to configure and assign a switch access port to a VLAN

• What is VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)

• What is VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Domain

• VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Advertisement Messages

• How to configure VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)

• How to view VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) information

• What is VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) Pruning

 

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