GVRP 
Introduction 
Note that if a static VLAN is configured on at least one port of a switch, and 
that port has established a link with another device, then all other ports of that 
switch will send advertisements for that VLAN. 
For example, in the following figure, Tagged VLAN ports on switch “A” and 
switch “C” advertise VLANs 22 and 33 to ports on other GVRP-enabled 
switches that can dynamically join the VLANs. 
Switch “A” 
GVRP On 
Switch “B” 
(No GVRP) 
Switch “C” 
GVRP On 
Switch “D” 
GVRP On 
Tagged 
VLAN 22 
Tagged 
VLAN 22 
Switch “E” 
GVRP On 
Tagged 
VLAN 33 
Switch “C”: 
Port 5 dynamically joins VLAN 22. 
Ports 11 and 12 belong to Tagged VLAN 33. 
Switch “E”: 
Port 2 dynamically joins VLANs 22 and 33. 
Port 7 dynamically joins VLANs 33 and 22. 
Switch “D”: 
Port 3 dynamically joins VLANs 22 and 33. 
Port 6 dynamically joins VLAN 22 and 33. 
1 
5 
12 
11 
2 
7
3 
6 
Figure 3-2.  Example of GVRP Operation 
Note   A port can learn of a dynamic VLAN through devices that are not aware of 
GVRP (Switch “B”, above). VLANs must be disabled in GVRP-unaware devices 
to allow tagged packets to pass through. 
A GVRP-aware port receiving advertisements has these options: 
■  If there is not already a static VLAN with the advertised VID on the 
receiving port, then dynamically create the VLAN and become a member. 
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