MVRP operating notes

MVRP is an enhanced version of Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP). It is a generic registration framework defined by the IEEE 802.1ak amendment to the IEEE 802.1Q standard. As GVRP, the same rules for dynamic propagation and registration of VLANs is also applicable for MVRP on Aruba switches.

  • A dynamic VLAN must be converted to a static VLAN before it can have an IP address.

  • On the switches covered in this guide, MVRP can be enabled only if max vlans is not more than 512 VLANs.

  • The total number of VLANs on the switch (static and dynamic combined) cannot exceed the current maximum VLANs setting. For example, in the factory default state, the switch supports up to 256 VLANs. Any additional VLANs advertised to the switch is not added unless you increase the maximum VLANs setting.

  • Converting a dynamic VLAN to a static VLAN and then executing the write memory command saves the VLAN in the startup-config file and makes it a permanent part of the switch's VLAN configuration.

  • When you enable MVRP globally, it is enabled by default on dynamic trunks. Based on your requirement, you can disable MVRP on dynamic trunks. You cannot modify any other MVRP port parameters.

  • Within the same broadcast domain, a dynamic VLAN can pass through a device that is not MVRP-aware. This is because a half-duplex repeater or a switch that is not MVRP-aware floods the MVRP (multicast) advertisement packets out of all ports.

  • Rebooting a switch on which a dynamic VLAN exists, deletes the VLAN. However, the dynamic VLAN reappears after the reboot, if MVRP is enabled. The switch again receives advertisement for the particular VLAN through a port configured to add dynamic VLANs.

  • By receiving advertisements from other devices running MVRP, the switch learns of static VLANs on those devices and dynamically (automatically) creates tagged VLANs on the links to the advertising devices. Similarly, the switch advertises its static VLANs and the dynamic VLANs to other MVRP-aware devices, which the switch has learnt.

  • An MVRP enabled switch does not advertise any MVRP learned VLANs out of the ports (on which it originally learned of those VLANs), until it is dynamically learnt on at least two ports.

  • While MVRP is enabled on the switch, you cannot apply any ACLs to VLANs configured on the same switch.