Overview; Description; Gvrp Concepts - GE MultiLink ML1200 Instruction Manual

Digital Energy
Multilin

11.1 Overview

11.1.1 Description

11.1.2 GVRP Concepts

MULTILINK ML1200 MANAGED FIELD SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Multilink ML1200
Managed Field Switch
Chapter 11: VLAN Registration
VLAN Registration over GARP
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.
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.
over GARP
11–1