Configure Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) with GVRP

Updated by: Alex George on February 23, 2025

Welcome to the Network engineering training tutorial section by CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. Today, I will explain Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP). After completing this tutorial, you will learn how to configure GARP.

Importance of Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP)

A Computer Science student, Victor Anderson, asked me to explain the importance of GARP. Let me answer him in this section.

In a big network, it is not practical to register and de-register the attribute values of switching devices associated with the network. IEEE defines a new protocol to overcome the difficulty that works in layer 2.

GARP works in Layer 2.

The new protocol is the Generic Attribute Registration Protocol or simply GARP.


Definition of Generic Attribute Registration Protocol

Many readers asked me to explain the definition of this protocol. Though it is vague, you can read my definition here.

Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) is a generic framework defined by the IEEE to provide bridges, switches, or other similar devices to be able to register and de-register attribute values, such as VLAN identifiers and multicast group membership across a large LAN.

How To Implement GARP?

Tom Ackerman asked me about the relationship between GARP and GVRP. He asked it in the comment section. Let me explain it here.

GVRP = GARP VLAN Registration Protocol

To implement GARP, a GARP application has to be created. The best example of a GARP application is GVRP. GVRP stands for GARP VLAN Registration Protocol.

GVRP creates dynamic VLANs when GARP is active on the switch. GVRP propagates VLAN information between switches where the admin implements a VLAN.


Configure GARP

Let us come to the final section of this tutorial by CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. In this section, I will teach you how to configure the Generic Attribute Registration Protocol.

George Napier asked me to explain the steps to configure GARP in Switches. He also wanted me to mention the commands.

To enable a GARP application, the command used is :

ENABLE GARP=GVRP [STP={stp-name|ALL}]

To turn off a GARP application, the command used is:

DISABLE GARP=GVRP [STP={stp-name|ALL}]

We have completed the GARP tutorial. Now, to learn how to configure GARP with Cisco and Juniper Switches, I recommend the following pages.


Reference

  1. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/smb/switches/cisco-small-business-300-series-managed-switches/smb1764-view-generic-attribute-registration-protocol-garp-vlan-regis.pdf
  2. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/smb/switches/cisco-250-series-smart-switches/smb2754-configure-gvrp-settings-on-a-switch.html
  3. https://supportportal.juniper.net/s/article/Archive-Configuration-of-Dynamic-VLAN-Using-GVRP-GARP-Vlan-Registration-Protocol-for-the-EX-series-Switch?language=en_US

8 comments:

  1. In what OS can we execute the command
    ENABLE GARP=GVRP?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex George2:07 AM

      Use the terminal to execute the command.

      Delete
  2. Victor Anderson2:04 AM

    Hello Alex,

    I am a third-year computer science student. I plan to start my career as a network engineer, and your tutorials are invaluable. I could not figure out the need for this protocol. Can you explain it again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Victor,

      Welcome to CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. I updated the tutorial by adding an explanation to answer your question.

      Delete
  3. George Napier2:20 AM

    Hello Alex,

    What command should I use to configure GARP in Switches?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello George,

      I suggest you read the configuration part of this tutorial. I mentioned the commands to enable and disable GARP.

      Delete
  4. Tom Ackerman6:20 AM

    Hello Alex,

    I read a tutorial about network routing and switching. It mentioned GVRP and GARP. Is there a relation between them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Tom,

      I have updated the tutorial and suggest you read it.

      Delete

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