13 DTP (Dynamic Trunking Protocol) and VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol)
This chapter covers
- Switch port administrative and operational modes
- How switches use DTP to determine a port's operational mode
- How to use VTP to automate VLAN administration
In this chapter, we will look at two protocols related to the previous chapter's topic: VLANs. Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP) and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) are both auxiliary protocols designed to streamline VLAN configuration and management on Cisco switches. As in chapter 12, in this chapter we will cover the following two exam topics:
- 2.1 Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
- 2.2 Configure and verify interswitch connectivity
Before Cisco’s major overhaul of the CCNA exam topics in 2020, both DTP and VTP were listed as exam topics. Their removal in 2020 led some to believe that DTP and VTP would not be tested on the CCNA exam, but this is a misunderstanding; although the exam topics list no longer explicitly names DTP and VTP, they both play important roles in the configuration of VLANs and interswitch connectivity on Cisco switches, and you are expected to know them for the CCNA exam.