Ethernet administrative and operational encapsulation

When issuing the show interfaces gigabitethernet 0/0 switchport command, the output shows administrative and operational modes like so:

SW1#show interfaces gigabitEthernet 0/0 switchport
Name: Gi0/0
Switchport: Enabled
Administrative Mode: dynamic auto
Operational Mode: static access
Administrative Trunking Encapsulation: negotiate
Operational Trunking Encapsulation: native
Negotiation of Trunking: On
Access Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Trunking Native Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Administrative Native VLAN tagging: enabled
Voice VLAN: none
  • Administrative Trunking Encapsulation indicates what we actually configure on that particular port. For example, negotiate, ISL, or dot1x etc…
  • Operational Trunking Encapsulation is the encapsulation which is actually implemented on the port in response to the configuration and its negotiation (if any) with the port on the other side of the link.

See also, Ethernet administrative operational mode and Switchport modes.

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