VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) is a network protocol used by Cisco switches to manage the distribution of VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) information. VLANs are used to divide a single physical network into multiple logical segments, allowing for improved network performance, security, and organization.

VTP allows switches in a network to share and synchronize their VLAN configuration information with each other, so that all switches have the same VLAN information. This helps to prevent misconfigurations and reduces the amount of manual work required to maintain the network.

There are three main components of VTP in a Cisco switch network:

1. VTP domain: A VTP domain is a group of switches that share the same VLAN information.
2. VTP server: A VTP server is a switch that is responsible for distributing and managing the VLAN information within a VTP domain.
3. VTP client: A VTP client is a switch that receives and stores the VLAN information from the VTP server.

In a VTP network, switches can be configured as either a VTP server, VTP client, or VTP transparent. The VTP server is the central point of management for the VLAN information, and the VTP clients receive and store the information. VTP transparent switches do not participate in the distribution of VLAN information, but they do forward VTP messages.

VTP is a useful tool for managing VLANs in a Cisco switch network, as it allows network administrators to make changes to the VLAN configuration on one switch and have those changes automatically propagated to all other switches in the VTP domain.