TOP 50
VTP
Cisco VLAN Trunking Protocol
Interview Questions and Answers
www.nitizsharma.com
Q1: What is VTP in Cisco networks?
A1:
VTP is a Layer 2 protocol that distributes VLAN information
across switches within the same VTP domain.
Q2: What are the three primary VTP modes?
A2:
Server, Client, and Transparent modes—each determines
how VLAN information is handled and propagated between
switches.
Q3: How does VTP server mode operate?
A3:
In server mode, switches can create, modify, and delete
VLANs and propagate updates across the VTP domain.
Q4: What is the function of VTP client mode?
A4:
VTP clients receive VLAN updates but cannot create, change,
or delete VLANs within the switch configuration.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q5: What happens in VTP transparent mode?
A5:
VLAN changes are not propagated, but VTP advertisements are
forwarded to maintain communication across the domain.
Q6:Why is the VTP domain name important?
A6:
Only switches with the same VTP domain name exchange VLAN
information; mismatched domains prevent synchronization.
Q7: What is the VTP configuration revision number?
A7:
It tracks the number of VLAN configuration changes; higher
revision numbers override lower ones on other switches.
Q8:Why is the VTP revision number critical in production?
A8:
Incorrectly high revision numbers on new switches can erase
valid VLANs across the VTP domain unintentionally.
Q9: What is the default VTP mode on Cisco switches?
A9:
Switches operate in server mode by default, allowing full VLAN
management capabilities and advertisement of VLANs.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q10: Can VLANs be created in client mode?
A10:
No, VLAN creation or modification is only possible in server or
transparent modes, not in client mode.
Q11: How does VTP impact trunk links?
A11:
VTP operates only over trunk ports, ensuring VLAN updates are
shared between trunk-connected switches in the domain.
Q12: What is VTP pruning?
A12:
VTP pruning reduces unnecessary VLAN traffic over trunk links by
restricting traffic to only required VLANs.
Q13: Which VLANs cannot be pruned in VTP?
A13:
VLAN 1 and VLANs 1002–1005 cannot be pruned because they are
reserved for system or legacy use.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q14: What are the benefits of VTP pruning?
A14:
It optimizes bandwidth usage by preventing unnecessary
broadcast traffic on trunk links for unused VLANs.
Q15: How does VTP handle VLAN consistency?
A15:
It ensures all switches in a domain maintain a consistent VLAN
database, avoiding mismatches across trunks.
Q16: What is the risk of connecting a pre-configured switch to
a VTP domain?
A16:
It may overwrite VLANs on other switches if it has a higher
configuration revision number and mismatched data.
Q17: How can you reset the VTP revision number safely?
A17:
Erasing the VLAN database file resets the revision number,
preventing potential configuration overwrites in production.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q18: Why should access layer switches often use transparent
mode?
A18:
To prevent them from affecting VLAN propagation and allow
local VLAN configuration without risk to the domain.
Q19: When should VTP server mode be used?
A19:
On distribution/core switches where centralized VLAN
management and configuration propagation are required.
Q20: What are common VTP troubleshooting checks?
A20:
Verify VTP mode, domain name, password, trunk status, and
configuration revision when VLANs fail to synchronize.
Q21: What happens if the VTP password is incorrect?
A21:
Switches with mismatched passwords will reject VTP
advertisements, preventing VLAN database synchronization
across the domain.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q22: Can switches with different VTP versions exchange
information?
A22:
VTPv1 and v2 are mostly compatible; VTPv3 adds features but
may not fully interoperate with older versions.
Q23: How does Transparent mode handle VLAN changes?
A23:
It doesn’t apply received VTP updates but forwards them to
ensure continuity in the domain.
Q24: Can Transparent mode switches create VLANs?
A24:
Yes, VLANs can be created and used locally but are not
advertised to other switches.
Q25: Why might VTP be disabled in some networks?
A25:
To avoid accidental VLAN deletions or propagation, especially in
sensitive environments or multi-vendor networks.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q26: What is the function of the VTP advertisement process?
A26:
It shares VLAN information like ID and name, ensuring
consistency across switches within the same domain.
Q27: What are summary advertisements in VTP?
A27:
Sent every 5 minutes, they inform neighbors about current
VLAN configuration and revision numbers.
Q28: What are subset advertisements?
A28:
Triggered after VLAN changes, they carry detailed VLAN
information for database updates across the domain.
Q29: What is an advertisement request in VTP?
A29:
Sent by switches with lower revision numbers to request
updated VLAN information from other domain members.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q30: Can you run VTP over access ports?
A30:
No, VTP functions only over trunk ports since it relies on tagging
to transport VLAN information.
Q31: What is VTPv3’s main advantage over earlier versions?
A31:
It supports extended VLANs, better authentication, and the
ability to disable VTP propagation on a per-port basis.
Q32: Why is VTPv3 preferred in modern networks?
A32:
It adds security, supports private VLANs, and allows more
granular administrative control over VLAN propagation.
Q33: How can you verify VTP operation is working properly?
A33:
Check if VLANs are synchronized, domain names match,
trunking is active, and revision numbers are updated correctly.
Q34: What is stored in the VLAN database file?
A34:
VLAN configuration and VTP revision info are saved separately
from the main configuration file for persistence.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q35: How is VTP affected during switch reload?
A35:
VLAN configurations are retained from the VLAN database file
unless it’s manually erased beforehand.
Q36: Why is resetting the revision number important before
adding switches?
A36:
It prevents unintended overwrites if a higher revision number
exists on an outdated or empty configuration.
Q37: What are best practices for adding a switch to VTP?
A37:
Reset the VLAN database, set to Transparent mode initially, and
confirm VTP domain and mode before production.
Q38: Should VTP be used in multi-vendor networks?
A38:
No, because VTP is Cisco proprietary and won’t propagate
VLANs to non-Cisco switches.
Q39: Can VTP help in troubleshooting VLAN issues?
A39:
Yes, checking VTP sync, trunking status, and revision numbers
can quickly identify the root cause.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q40: Can VTP cause STP topology changes?
A40:
Yes, when VLANs are added or removed, it can trigger
spanning-tree recalculations if STP is enabled.
Q41: Does VTP sync port configurations too?
A41:
No, only VLAN IDs and names are synced. Port-to-VLAN
assignments must be configured locally.
Q42: What security risks are associated with VTP?
A42:
An untrusted switch with higher revision could erase VLANs if
not properly authenticated or isolated.
Q43: Can VTP prevent VLAN ID mismatches between
switches?
A43:
Yes, by centralizing VLAN ID propagation, it reduces
configuration mismatches across trunk links.
Q44: Why is VLAN 1 special in VTP?
A44:
It’s the default VLAN and is used for control traffic like VTP,
CDP, and PAgP by default.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q45: Can VTP be used across Layer 3 boundaries?
A45:
No, VTP operates at Layer 2 and cannot cross routers or routed
interfaces.
Q46: Can you propagate extended VLANs using VTPv1 or v2?
A46:
No, extended VLANs are only supported in VTPv3 environments.
Q47: How do you identify a VTP inconsistency?
A47:
VLANs missing, incorrect revision number, or mismatched
domain/password are all signs of VTP failure.
Q48: What’s the impact of deleting the VLAN database?
A48:
All locally configured VLANs are lost and VTP revision is reset to
zero—use cautiously in live environments.
www.nitizsharma.com
Q49: What is a VTP domain mismatch scenario?
A49:
When switches have different VTP domain names, they won’t
exchange VLAN information, causing sync issues.
Q50: Why is manual VLAN configuration preferred in some
networks?
A50:
For better control, avoiding accidental propagation, and
reducing risk of misconfigurations caused by VTP.
www.nitizsharma.com
📌Save this post
To Visit Cisco VLAN Trunking Protocol
before your next Big Interview!
www.nitizsharma.com
