MVRP

MVRP Overview

MVRP (Multiple VLAN Registration Protocol) is the counterpart protocol of Cisco VTP and GVRP (GARP VLAN Registration Protocol). It is the last standard VLAN Registration Protocol, so it has richer properties than the other protocols. MVRP is the IEEE 801.ak standard.

MVRP reduces the VLAN tasks by managing VLAN register, unregister, renaming and other VLAN related issues. The main idea is the same with the other protocols that does the same job. The idea is, configuring VLANs on one switch and distribute it to the other switches.

MVRP is an application of MRP (Multiple Registration Protocol). This is like GVRP and GARP. GVRP is replaced with MVRP and GARP is replaced with MRP. This provide enhanced properties like improved resource usage, bandwidth control etc. MVRP has more efficient PDUs and a very good Protocol Design.

MVRP sends the 4094 VLANs’ state in one PDU. It also support triggered TCNs (Topology Change Notifications) for a specific VLAN. This feature is very important and critic for large Service Providers.

MVRP is disabled by default. To use MVRP, we need to enable it. And MVRP can only enabled on Trunk links.

In Cisco devices, if we will use MVRP, the VTP Mode of this device must be Transparent. Because only VTP Transparent Mode can be used together with MVRP. Beside VTP Prunning can not be used together with MVRP. One of them can work on a Trunk at the same time.

A very important property of MVRP is Dynamic VLAN Creation. This is also enabled by default. As a best practice, to use MVRP properties better, Dynamic VLAN Creation must be enabled.

MVRP Registration Modes

There are 3 different MVRP Registration Modes. This is similar to GVRP.These Registration Modes are:

• Normal Registration Mode
• Fixed Registration Mode
• Forbidden Registration Mode

Normal Registration Mode is the “default” mode. With this registration mode, interfaces use MVRP.
Fixed Registration Mode is the mode that in this mode all MVRP Join messages are restricted. Only, statically configured VLANs are get and sent. VLANs are not pruned. Here it remains in the IN State.

Forbidden Registration Mode is the most strict mode. In this mode, all MVRP Join messages are restricted and the interfaces does not send or receive VLAN information. The VLAN prunning is works and the state is EMPTY state.

MVRP MRP Messages

MVRP uses MRP Message to manage VLAN operations. There are different MRP Message types. These message types are:

• Empty
• In
• JoinEmty
• JoinIn
• Leave
• LeaveAll
• New