Final answer:
A transparent switch in a network forwards VTP advertisements without changing its own VLAN configurations, acting as a conduit to allow VTP messages to pass through to other devices in the network.
Step-by-step explanation:
A transparent switch in the context of VLANs and VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) has a specific role. A transparent switch forwards VTP advertisements through the switch without attempting to apply any VLAN configuration changes that are contained in the advertisements to its own interfaces. Essentially, the switch acts as a conduit for VTP messages, allowing those messages to propagate through the network and reach other switches that are configured to listen to and process those VTP advertisements.
A transparent switch:
- Does not create, modify, or delete VLANs as that's the role of a VTP server.
- Does not synchronize VTP information, as it does not integrate the information into its own VLAN configuration.
- Does forward VTP advertisements received from other switches to help maintain VLAN configuration consistency across the network.
- Does not store VLAN information to NVRAM based on received VTP advertisements. It will only save VLAN information that has been manually configured on the switch itself.