Multiple Registration Protocol

The Generic Attribute Registration Protocol was defined by the IEEE to provide a generic framework so bridges (or other devices like switches) could register and de-register attribute values, such as VLAN identifiers and multicast group membership. GARP defines the architecture, rules of operation, state machines and variables for the registration and de-registration of attribute values. GARP is the protocol used by the VLAN management protocol (GVRP: GARP VLAN Registration Protocol) for trunking between multilayer switches, and by the GARP Multicast Registration Protocol (GMRP).

The IEEE 802.1D standard mentions the idea of dynamic registration of 'group membership' between MAC bridges.

In recent times, multilayer switches, which primarily combine OSI Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality, can use GVRP to dynamically manage VLAN registration.

References

IEEE 802.1d standard (PDF)

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