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GVRP Configuration
The GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) is a GARP application. It functions based on the
operating mechanism of GARP to maintain and propagate dynamic VLAN registration information for
the GVRP devices on the network.
When configuring GVRP, go to these sections for information you are interested in:
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Introduction to GVRP
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GVRP Configuration Task List
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Configuring GVRP Functions
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Configuring GARP Timers
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Displaying and Maintaining GVRP
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GVRP Configuration Examples
Introduction to GVRP
GARP
The Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) provides a mechanism that allows participants in a
GARP application to distribute, propagate, and register with other participants in a LAN the attributes
specific to the GARP application, such as the VLAN or multicast address attribute.
GARP itself does not exist on a device as an entity. GARP-compliant participants are known as GARP
applications. One example is GVRP. When a GARP participant is present on a port on your device, the
port is regarded as a GARP participant.
GARP messages and timers
1) GARP messages
A GARP application entity exchanges information with other GARP application entities by:
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Sending Join messages to register with other entities its attributes, the attributes received from
other GARP application entities, and the attributes manually configured on it.
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Sending Leave messages to have its attributes deregistered on other devices. A GARP participant
also sends Leave messages when it receives Leave messages from other GARP participants or
when attributes are manually deregistered on it.
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Sending LeaveAll messages to deregister all the attributes so that all GARP participants can
re-register all attributes with each other. A LeaveAll message is sent upon expiration of a LeaveAll
timer, which starts upon the startup of a GARP application entity.
Join messages, Leave messages, and LeaveAll message make sure the reregistration and
deregistration of GARP attributes are performed in an orderly way.
Through message exchange, all attribute information that needs registration propagates to all GARP
participants on the LAN.
2) GARP
timers
GARP uses the following four timers to set the interval for sending GARP messages: