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VLAN Operation
Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP)
GARP is a protocol used to propagate state information throughout a switched network.
GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP)
A GARP application used to dynamically create VLANs across a switched network.
GARP Multicast Registration Protocol (GMRP)
A GARP application that functions in a similar fashion as GVRP, except that GMRP registers
multicast addresses on ports to control the flooding of multicast frames.
12.5 VLAN OPERATION
The following sections describe the operation of a VLAN switch and discusses the operations that
a VLAN switch performs in response to both normal and VLAN-originated network traffic.
12.5.1 Description
The 802.1Q VLAN operation is slightly different than the operation of traditional switched
networking systems. These differences are due to the importance of keeping track of each frame
and its VLAN association as it passes from switch to switch or from port to port within a switch.
12.5.2 VLAN Components
Before describing the operation of an 802.1Q VLAN, it is important to understand the basic
elements that are combined to make up an 802.1Q VLAN.
Stations
A station is any end unit that belongs to a network. In the vast majority of cases, stations are the
computers through which the users access the network.
Switches
In order to configure a group of stations into a VLAN, the stations must be connected to
VLAN-aware switches. It is the job of the switch to classify received frames into VLAN
memberships and transmit frames, according to VLAN membership, with or without a VLAN Tag
Header.
12-6
VLAN Operation and Network Applications
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