Dave, Comments are inline.
- Tom Dave C. wrote: > I have a question regarding VTP. > > I am working with a network configuration that has dual 6509's as core > switches. One is the VTP domain server, the other is a VTP domain client. > All other 4000 switches are defined as client also. > > I need to take both 6509's down to upgrade the Cat-OS on them, however I am > concerned about what happens to the other switches when the VTP domain > server goes away while the other 6509 is in client mode. You will not have ANY problems taking down the VTP servers and leaving only clients in your network. VTP server and VTP clients perform almost identical roles. The only difference between the two is that you can console (or Telnet) in to make VLAN and VTP modifications on a VTP server, VTP clients must learn their changes from other switches in the network. VTP clients learn, remember (while they have power anyway) and propagate VTP information, just as VTP servers do. Your other switches will not be affected while the VTP servers are offline, aside from obvious connectivity limitations. :) > > I know that I can assign multiple VTP servers to a domain. My original > thought is to first make sure that the client 6509 is running the same VTP > revision # as the server 6509. Then I should be able to change the client > 6509 to VTP server mode. Then in theory either server can take over VTP > responsibilites, because one will be able to act as the other if the other > one goes away. You can have multiple servers in the VTP domain, but there is no "take over" responsibilities functionality. VTP servers and VTP clients both learn and propagate VTP information. VTP servers will learn VTP information from clients (assuming the client has a higher revision number) just like VTP clients will learn VTP from VTP servers (assuming the server has a higher revision number). You need at least one VTP server in your network, since the VTP server remembers its VTP information between reboots (also you need at least one switch in your network where you can change VLAN information, right? :) Once you have chosen at least one switch to be a VTP server, the remaining switches in your network can be VTP clients or VTP servers. There are some notable design and redundancy issues with having only a single VTP server -- but network functionality will not be affected. I think that VTP client is supposed to be a security safeguard, keeping changes from being made except from "authorized" (VTP server) switches. But that has never really make sense to me since you need to be in enable mode to change VLAN information anyway. If you have access to enable mode you can just as easily change the switch to VTP server, make your changes, then change the mode back to client. There's no real security advantage. > > What I was also wondering, do all VLAN's go disabled if I were to only have > a single VTP server and shut it down when the rest of the switches are > clients? If so, would this happen right away, or after 5 minutes? If I take > the 6509 server down, it will not be able to tell anyone that a topology > change has occurred, but will the clients be looking for the VTP 5 minute > updates? > VLANs will not be disabled unless you power off all of your VTP servers and reboot all of your VTP clients at the same time. > If anyone could help clarify this, I would appreciate it. Based on the other posts, I seem to be going against conventional thinking. If you need further clarification, I can provide CCO links. > > Thanks. > > Dave C. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=70971&t=70942 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
