📖 What is Trunk Port?

A switch port configured to carry traffic for multiple VLANs over a single link, typically used for connections between switches or between a switch and a router.

🥋 Sensei Says:

"By default, a trunk link allows all VLANs (1-4094). Use the 'switchport trunk allowed vlan' command to restrict unnecessary traffic across the trunk."

📚 Certification: Certified Network Associate (200-301)

🔑 What are the Key Concepts of Trunk Port?

  • Multiplexing multiple VLANs over a single physical link
  • 802.1Q frame tagging to identify VLAN membership
  • Trunk allowed lists for traffic pruning and security

🎯 How does Trunk Port appear on the 200-301 Exam?

Configuring a link between two switches to ensure VLAN 10 and 20 traffic can traverse the uplink.

Troubleshooting a missing VLAN from a trunk's allowed list.

Implementing Router-on-a-Stick by configuring a switch's uplink to a router as a trunk.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How does a trunk port differentiate between traffic from different VLANs?

It uses tagging (typically 802.1Q) to insert a VLAN ID into the Ethernet frame header.


Can an end device like a PC be connected to a trunk port?

Normally no, as standard PC NICs don't understand 802.1Q tags, though some servers with virtualization do use trunking.

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