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Configure VTP in a cisco switch

VTP is a Cisco-proprietary protocol used to synchronize the VLAN database (vlan.dat) across multiple switches in a network. For VTP to work all switches must be connected via Trunk links (802.1Q). VTP advertisements are only sent across trunk port using VLAN 1.

Switch(config)# vtp domain MY_NETWORK

By default, all Cisco Switches act as VTP Servers

Switch(config)# vtp mode server

To prevent rogue switches from accidentally joining the domain

Switch(config)# vtp password cisco123
Switch(config)# vtp version 2
Switch# show vtp status
Switch# show vtp password

Every time you add, delete or rename a VLAN, the configuration revision number goes up by 1. When the switches exchange VTP messages, they look at this number. The switch with the highest revision number “wins”, and all other switches will overwrite their VLAN database to match it.

Switch(config)# vtp mode client

A VTP Client receives the VLAN database from the Server. You cannot create, modify or delete VLANs on a VTP Client.

Switch(config)# vtp mode transparent

A switch in Transparent mode ignores VTP updates.

VTP Version 1: A transparent switch will ONLY forward VTP packets if its configured domain name matches the domain name in the VTP packet.

VTP Version 2: A transparent switch will forward VTP packets regardless of its domain name.