802.1Q Configuration Considerations - Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual

Configuring VLAN Trunks
Table 13-5 Layer 2 Interface Modes
Mode
switchport mode access
switchport mode dynamic
desirable
switchport mode dynamic auto
switchport mode trunk
switchport nonegotiate

802.1Q Configuration Considerations

802.1Q trunks impose these limitations on the trunking strategy for a network:
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Catalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Function
Puts the interface (access port) into permanent nontrunking mode and negotiates to
convert the link into a nontrunk link. The interface becomes a nontrunk interface even if
the neighboring interface is not a trunk interface.
Makes the interface actively attempt to convert the link to a trunk link. The interface
becomes a trunk interface if the neighboring interface is set to trunk, desirable, or auto
mode. The default switch-port mode for all Ethernet interfaces is dynamic desirable.
Makes the interface able to convert the link to a trunk link. The interface becomes a trunk
interface if the neighboring interface is set to trunk or desirable mode.
Puts the interface into permanent trunking mode and negotiates to convert the link into a
trunk link. The interface becomes a trunk interface even if the neighboring interface is
not a trunk interface.
Prevents the interface from generating DTP frames. You can use this command only when
the interface switchport mode is access or trunk. You must manually configure the
neighboring interface as a trunk interface to establish a trunk link.
In a network of Cisco switches connected through 802.1Q trunks, the switches maintain one instance
of spanning tree for each VLAN allowed on the trunks. Non-Cisco devices might support one
spanning-tree instance for all VLANs.
When you connect a Cisco switch to a non-Cisco device through an 802.1Q trunk, the Cisco switch
combines the spanning-tree instance of the VLAN of the trunk with the spanning-tree instance of
the non-Cisco 802.1Q switch. However, spanning-tree information for each VLAN is maintained by
Cisco switches separated by a cloud of non-Cisco 802.1Q switches. The non-Cisco 802.1Q cloud
separating the Cisco switches is treated as a single trunk link between the switches.
Make sure the native VLAN for an 802.1Q trunk is the same on both ends of the trunk link. If the
native VLAN on one end of the trunk is different from the native VLAN on the other end,
spanning-tree loops might result.
Disabling spanning tree on the native VLAN of an 802.1Q trunk without disabling spanning tree on
every VLAN in the network can potentially cause spanning-tree loops. We recommend that you
leave spanning tree enabled on the native VLAN of an 802.1Q trunk or disable spanning tree on
every VLAN in the network. Make sure your network is loop-free before disabling spanning tree.
Chapter 13 Configuring VLANs
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