What is the right way to create a VLAN on a 2950?

Paul Boz

According to Lammle, you create VLANs from the global configuration mode, like this:

Switch(config)#vlan 2
Switch(config)#name whatever

When trying this in the Boson Netsim however, I get nothing. Looking through a Boson lab, however, I see that you're supposed to creat VLANs like this:

Switch#vlan database
Switch(vlan)#vlan 2

Obviously the Boson way works in the Boson sim, but which is the actual right way to create a VLAN? Lammle's book hasn't failed me yet and I've heard that simulators can sometimes be wrong, but without an actual 2950 at my disposal, I can't really figure it out on my own.

Thanks a lot!

[edit] Googling shows that the Boson way is right. Good going T Lammle

bmauro

The vlan database command is being phased out - but still can be used. You'll get some sort of message when entering the vlan database mode saying the same thing.

But for the CCNA the database command still seems to be used. I can't remember if I saw anything on the test that would show which method is used - so the best bet is to know how to create vlans using both methods.

Both ways are easy enough - and during the test if one way is not supported it will be very handy to quickly know how to add vlans the other way.

In the "real" world (at least at my company) vlans are created in global config mode. I did see a new engineer try to create a vlan in the database mode and had limited functionality because of it.

Hopefully someone can confirm this.

Cisco white papers: http://www.cisco.com/application/pdf/en/us/guest/products/ps628/c2001/ccmigration_09186a00800c6eee.pdf

kenny504

Well I have a 2950 home and to create a vlan simply

router(config)int fa0/1
router(config-if)switchport access vlan 2
% Access VLAN does not exists. Creating Vlan 2
router(config-if)

This is the best way to create a vlan in my opinion.

Netwurk

Lammle is right!

The 2950 supports the new commands to create a vlan

s2950#config t
s2950(config)#vlan 5
s2950(config-vlan)#name vlanfive
s2950(config-vlan)#exit

It will also accept the old method, using the vlan database command

Both ways are right. Older switches, like the 2900's and the 3500's won't accept the new method. The newer switches, like the 2950 and the 3550, will accept both methods.

Paul Boz

Good to know, thanks a lot guys

Trailerisf

Don't forget Todd is talking about 1900's and 2950 switches at the same time. In that chapter he even shows you the two different methods...

Re-read the chapter again and all will be crystal :P

Paul Boz

I know that, the problem originated in the fact that the 2950's in my simulator work differently than the way Todd explained it. I didn't know that there were multiple ways to create VLANs on the 2950 so when what Todd said didn't work in the sim I was confused.

fualker

My 2912 only will accept vlan database command. Being that it is using IOS, could that be upgraded with a newer IOS or is that limited by the switch? Min e is running 12.0(5.2)XU.

Treg

Good question, I have a 2912 also, and would like to know if it is IOS or hardware limited.

Netwurk

2900's won't upgrade to the new switch IOS

You need a 2950

bmauro

It's the IOS that limits the "vlan database" commands. I have 2950s at home with older code that accept the vlan database command without any problem, but at work, where the code is kept up-to-date, the same switches will still accept the vlan database commands - but will display a warning that vlan database is being phased out.

Paul Boz

bmauro wrote:

It's the IOS that limits the "vlan database" commands. I have 2950s at home with older code that accept the vlan database command without any problem, but at work, where the code is kept up-to-date, the same switches will still accept the vlan database commands - but will display a warning that vlan database is being phased out.

Good info!