Document ID: 10584
Updated: Dec 08, 2006
Contents
Introduction
Private VLANs (PVLANs) provide Layer 2 isolation between ports within the same VLAN. The table in this document summarizes the support of the PVLAN feature in Cisco Catalyst switches.
Refer to Securing Networks with Private VLANs and VLAN Access Control Lists for more information on how to understand and implement networks that use PVLANs. Click on the Catalyst switch in the table in this document. This will provide the step-by-step configuration guide on how to configure PVLANs on specific Catalyst switches.
Prerequisites
Requirements
There are no specific requirements for this document.
Components Used
This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.
Conventions
Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.
Support for the PVLAN Feature in Cisco Catalyst Switches
This table provides information about the PVLAN feature support in Cisco Catalyst switches:
| Catalyst Platform | PVLAN Supported Minimum Software Version | Isolated VLAN | PVLAN Edge (Protected Port) | Community VLAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst 6500/6000 - Hybrid mode (CatOS on Supervisor and Cisco IOS® on MSFC) | 5.4(1) on Supervisor and 12.0(7)XE1 on MSFC | Yes | Not Supported | Yes |
| Catalyst 6500/6000 - Native mode (Cisco IOS® System software on both Supervisor and MSFC) | 12.1(8a)EX, 12.1(11b)E1 and later. | Yes | Not Supported | Yes |
| Catalyst 5500/5000 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 4500/4000 - CatOS | 6.2(1) | Yes | Not Supported | Yes |
| Catalyst 4500/4000 - Cisco IOS | 12.1(8a)EW | Yes | Not Supported | Yes. 12.2(20)EW onwards. |
| Catalyst 3550 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.1(4)EA1 onwards. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2950 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.0(5.2)WC1, 12.1(4)EA1 and later. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2900XL/3500XL | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes.12.0(5)XU (on 8MB switches only) onwards. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2948G-L3 / 4908G-L3 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 1900 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 8500 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 3560 | 12.2(20)SE - EMI | Yes | Yes. 12.1(19)EA1 onwards. | Yes |
| Catalyst 3750 | 12.2(20)SE - EMI | Yes | Yes. 12.1(11)AX onwards. | Yes |
| Catalyst 3750 Metro | 12.2(25)EY - EMI | Yes | Yes. 12.1(14)AX onwards. | Yes |
| Catalyst 2940 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.1(13)AY onwards. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2948G/2980G | 6.2 | Yes | Not Supported | Yes |
| Catalyst 2955 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.1(6)EA2 onwards. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2970 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.1(11)AX onwards. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst 2960 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Yes. 12.2(25)FX and later. | Not Supported |
| Catalyst Express 500 | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported |
Additional Notes:
-
The PVLAN edge (protected port) is a feature that has only local significance to the switch, and there is no isolation provided between two protected ports located on different switches. A protected port does not forward any traffic (unicast, multicast, or broadcast) to any other port that is also a protected port in the same switch. Therefore, it provides isolation. Traffic cannot be forwarded between protected ports at Layer 2. All traffic passing between protected ports must be forwarded through a Layer 3 device.
-
PVLAN ports cannot be trunk ports, cannot channel, cannot have dynamic VLAN membership, and cannot be a Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) destination.
-
PVLAN is supported on sc0 in the Catalyst 4500/4000 and Catalyst 6500/6000 that run CatOS, in software release 6.3(1) and later.
-
Four MB Catalyst 2900XL Series Switches do not support the protected port feature, as these cannot be upgraded to Cisco IOS 12.0(5) XU or later code. The latest version of code that runs on the Catalyst 2900XL is Cisco IOS 11.2(8)SA6.
Two-way community VLANS in PVLANs are currently not supported on the Catalyst 4500/4000 Series Switches that run Cisco IOS. Refer to Configuring Private VLANs for additional restrictions.
-
PVLAN support on Firewall Services Module (FWSM) begins in software version 3.1. If you run a software version earlier than 3.1, the only possible workaround is to connect the promiscuous port of the PVLAN using the crossover cable to a regular access port. Then, make a firewall for the VLAN of that access port.
Related Information
Open a Support Case 
(Requires a Cisco Service Contract.)
Related Cisco Support Community Discussions
The Cisco Support Community is a forum for you to ask and answer questions, share suggestions, and collaborate with your peers.
Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for information on conventions used in this document.