Dell PowerConnect J-EX8208, Software Manual

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NOTE: If a J-EX4200 Ethernet Switch is interconnected with other switches
in a Virtual Chassis configuration, each individual switch that is included as
a member of the configuration is identified with a member ID. The member
ID functions as an FPC slot number. When you are configuring interfaces for
a Virtual Chassis configuration, you specify the appropriate member ID (0
through 9) as the slot element of the interface name.
The default factory settings for a Virtual Chassis configuration include FPC
0 as a member of the default VLAN because FPC 0 is configured as part of
the
ethernet-switching
family. In order to include FPC 1 through FPC 9 in the
default VLAN, add the
ethernet-switching
family to the configurations for
those interfaces.
Ethernet Switching Tables
As J-EX Series switches learn the MAC addresses of the devices on local VLANs, they
store them in the bridge on the switch. With each MAC address, the Ethernet switching
table stores and associates the name of the interface (or port) on which the switch
learned that address. The switch uses the information in this table when forwarding
packets toward their destination.
Layer 2 and Layer 3 Forwarding of VLAN Traffic
To pass traffic within a VLAN, the switch uses Layer 2 forwarding protocols, including
IEEE 802.1Q, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and GARP VLAN Registration Protocol
(GVRP).
To pass traffic between two VLANs, the switch uses standard Layer 3 routing protocols,
such as static routing, OSPF, and RIP. On J-EX Series switches, the same interfaces that
support Layer 2 bridging protocols also support Layer 3 routing protocols, providing
multilayer switching.
GVRP and MVRP
The GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) and Multiple VLAN Registration Protocol
(MVRP) are used to manage dynamic VLAN registration in a LAN.
GVRP is an application protocol of the Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP)
and is defined in the IEEE 802.1Q standard. GVRP learns VLANs on a particular 802.1Q
trunk interface and adds the corresponding trunk interface to the VLAN if the advertised
VLAN is preconfigured on the switch.
MVRP is an application protocol of the Multiple Registration Protocol (MRP) and is
defined in the IEEE 802.1ak standard. MRP and MVRP were designed by IEEE to perform
the same functions as GARP and GVRP while overcoming some GARP and GVRP
limitations, in particular limitations involving bandwidth usage and convergence times
in large networks with large numbers of VLANs. MVRP was created by IEEE as a
replacement application for GVRP.
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Chapter 57: Bridging and VLANs—Overview