show vtp status
Displays VTP operational mode, domain, version, and revision number for VLAN sync verification.
show vtp statusWhen to Use This Command
- Verifying VTP mode (server/client/transparent) and domain name.
- Checking the configuration revision number to understand VLAN sync state.
- Troubleshooting VLANs not propagating between switches.
- Confirming VTP password is configured (shows MD5 digest without revealing password).
Command Examples
Show VTP status on a server switch
SW1# show vtp statusVTP Version capable : 1 to 3 VTP version running : 2 VTP Domain Name : COURSEIVA VTP Pruning Mode : Disabled VTP Traps Generation : Disabled Device ID : 0017.5afd.0100 Feature VLAN: ----------- VTP Operating Mode : Server Maximum VLANs supported locally : 1005 Number of existing VLANs : 8 Configuration Revision : 5 MD5 digest : 0x6B 0x44 ...
Key fields: VTPv2 running, domain is COURSEIVA, operating as Server, 8 VLANs exist (including the defaults), revision 5. The MD5 digest changes when VLANs are modified — clients compare this to decide if they need to sync.
Client switch after VTP sync
SW2# show vtp statusVTP Operating Mode : Client Configuration Revision : 5 Number of existing VLANs : 8
Client's revision matches the server (5) and has the same 8 VLANs — VTP synchronization was successful.
Understanding the Output
Critical fields: Operating Mode, Domain Name, Configuration Revision, Number of VLANs. A client with a lower revision than the server will sync up automatically on the next VTP advertisement. If revisions match but VLANs don't, check the VTP domain name (case-sensitive mismatch is common). If MD5 digest shows a non-zero value, a VTP password is configured.
CCNA Exam Tips
CCNA exam tip: The Configuration Revision number is the most critical field — highest revision wins in VTP. A new switch with revision > 0 can overwrite the entire VLAN DB.
CCNA exam tip: To safely add a new switch, reset its revision to 0 by changing the domain name twice ('domain temp', then 'domain original').
CCNA exam tip: 'Number of existing VLANs' includes VLANs 1, 1002-1005 (defaults) — a fresh switch shows 5.
CCNA exam tip: VTP mode 'off' appears in VTPv3 only — in v1/v2, the lowest isolation is 'transparent'.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Overlooking the revision number when adding a new switch — if it's higher than the production switches, it will overwrite VLANs.
Mistake 2: Misreading 'Number of existing VLANs' — VLANs 1 and 1002-1005 are always present by default (5 VLANs minimum).
Mistake 3: Checking show vtp status instead of show vlan brief when troubleshooting missing VLANs — VTP status shows sync health, not which specific VLANs exist.
Related Commands
vtp domain [name]
Sets the VTP administrative domain name. Switches only synchronize VLAN databases with other switches in the same VTP domain. The domain name is case-sensitive.
vtp mode [server|client|transparent]
Sets the VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) operational mode of a switch. Server mode allows creating/modifying VLANs and propagating them. Client mode receives VLAN info but cannot modify. Transparent mode does not participate in VTP but forwards VTP advertisements.
vtp version [1|2|3]
Sets the VTP version used by the switch. VTP version 1 is the default and most compatible. Version 2 adds support for Token Ring VLANs and transparent mode forwarding improvements. Version 3 adds support for extended VLANs (1006-4094), private VLANs, and password hashing.
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