Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

Trunks

The previous sections discussed interfaces that belong to only one VLAN. These are sometimes referred to as access links and are completely transparent to the users. The users have no knowledge of the existence of the VLAN. However, to maintain VLAN information, the originating frame from a user must contain VLAN information that the switch fabric can use to forward the frame.

Frame Tagging

As a frame enters the switch fabric, it's encapsulated or tagged with some additional information that identifies VLAN properties for the frame as it is switched through the switch fabric. This includes the VLAN ID or number, sometimes referred to as the VLAN color. This additional information remains on the frame as it's forwarded across the switched backbone from switch to switch.

A trunk link is a connection between two trunk-capable devices. These devices could be two switches, a switch and a router, or even a switch and an end station. Trunking essentially extends the backplane of the switch. Normally, only traffic from one VLAN can be associated with a port. The exception to this is a trunk port. A trunk port allows multiple VLANs to cross it to a neighboring device, unlike an access link. Trunking is performed by encapsulating or tagging frames in hardware by the ASICs on each port. Encapsulating or tagging adds information, such as the VLAN number, to help in the forwarding of the frame by other switches. By default, trunk links carry all VLAN traffic, but you can restrict which VLANs can traverse a trunk.

The additional VLAN information remains on the frame until it reaches its destination port, where it is then stripped off. This whole process occurs at Layer 2 and is completely transparent to the user. At both the source and destination, the users see the original frame, but as the frame is forwarded between switches, the additional VLAN information is also seen.

Unlike an access (user) port that does not understand the frame encapsulating or tagging added by a switch, a trunk port expects that the device at the other end of the connection does understand the frame tagging. Standard Ethernet cards do not understand the additional VLAN information that's been added to or inserted into a frame. When carrying information from many VLANs between switches, you need this type of link. The destination switch somehow needs to know what VLAN the frame originated from so that it does not forward the frame out incorrect ports. You would not want a broadcast from one VLAN to be propagated to other VLANs. In certain cases, as shown in Figure 3.3, it even makes sense to buy a special card that does understand the tagging for an end station.

Figure 3.3Figure 3.3  Tagging can be done between trunk-capable NICs, including switches, routers, and file servers.

In a switched network, many clients from different VLANs might access an enterprise resource, such as an email server. By having only a standard Ethernet NIC, the file server can belong to one, and only one, VLAN. Clients that belong to a different VLAN would have to send their traffic to a router, and the router could then forward the frames to the email server. The problem with this approach is the latency that the router introduces. In the case of email, users will not notice this latency. But with a client/server, database, or voice or video application, users might notice the latency. For this reason, it would be nice to place a special NIC card in the file server that actually understands multiple VLANs—in essence, to make it a trunk connection. With this special NIC, an end station would not have to send its frame to the router first, but could bypass it completely to access the file server.

Likewise, it makes sense to have a special NIC like this in a router. Without this card, a router would need a separate interface for each VLAN that exists in the switched network to route between the VLANs. With a trunk NIC interface, a router would only need one interface, thus greatly reducing the cost requirements of the router. You could also implement Multilayer switching to solve your Layer 3 latency problems.

Protocols

One important aspect of VLANs is for the switch fabric to carry the VLAN information across different media topologies, such as Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, and ATM. Here are the four VLAN tagging mechanisms supported by Cisco:

  • Cisco's proprietary InterSwitch Link (ISL): Ethernet and token ring support

  • IEEE's 802.1Q: Ethernet and token ring support

  • Cisco's extension to 802.10: FDDI support

  • ATM Forum's LAN Emulation (LANE): ATM support

Please note that not all Cisco devices support all the preceding trunking protocols. For example, Cisco's Catalyst 1900 switches support only ISL, the Catalyst 2950s support only 802.1Q, and the discontinued Catalyst 5000s supported all four. With FDDI, the Security Association Identifier (SAID) is used to carry VLAN information across a FDDI backbone. This book focuses on Cisco's ISL and IEEE's 802.1Q trunking protocols.

ISL

ISL is a Cisco-proprietary technology for trunking VLANs at Layer 2. Unlike normal Ethernet NICs, ISL cards cost more because specialized ASICs and processors are included to support the framing encapsulation at gigabit speeds. ISL adds a 26-byte header and a 4-byte trailer (which is a CRC) to the original Ethernet frame, for a total of 30 bytes. Figure 3.4 shows a picture of an ISL frame.

Figure 3.4Figure 3.4 ISL frame format.

Some of the items included in the header are the source and destination MAC address that are duplicated from the original frame, the type of frame (Ethernet, FDDI, token ring, or ATM), the priority of the frame, the length of the frame (not including the CRC), and the VLAN number (located in the VLAN ID field). The BPDU field is a one-bit descriptor that signifies that the encapsulated frame is either a Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU), or Cisco Discover Protocol (CDP) information, or is a normal Ethernet frame. There are two Field Checksum Sequence (CRC) fields in an encapsulated frame—one for the original Ethernet frame and one for the ISL header and encapsulated Ethernet frame.

ISL requires a special Ethernet NIC that not only understands the VLAN information in ISL frames but also allows the NIC to add VLAN information to frames. Some Cisco routers support ISL, some of Cisco switches support ISL, and third-party companies, such as Intel, produce ISL NICs. From an end station's perspective with an ISL NIC, the software driver that's loaded on the machine creates the illusion that there are many logical cards connected to different Ethernet segments. The user would configure each logical card with the appropriate network address that reflects the VLAN to which the logical card belongs.

When setting up a trunk connection with ISL, both sides must be configured with the same encapsulation. If one side is set to ISL and the other is set to a normal Ethernet frame encapsulation, the normal Ethernet NIC won't understand the VLAN tagging, and will mistake it for a normal Ethernet frame. The problem that this typically causes is that a normal Ethernet frame can be up to 1518 bytes in length, and ISL adds 30 bytes. If the MTU was set to 1500 for the data, and 18 bytes for the MAC header information and FCS, when you add 30 bytes for the ISL information, you exceed the maximum valid MTU size for an Ethernet frame (1548). A normal Ethernet NIC would see this kind of frame as a giant and drop it.

802.1Q

Early in the summer of 1998, the IEEE standardized the frame tagging process for trunking VLANs and produced the 802.1Q standard. One problem with Cisco's ISL frame encapsulation process is that other switching vendors do not support it. In almost all cases, each vendor implements VLANs differently, thus making it nearly impossible to use switches from more than one vendor. Today, companies are no longer restricted to sticking with just one vendor for their switching purchases. This is especially important with the great flux of changes occurring in today's industry. If a new switching technology becomes available from a startup company, it becomes much easier to integrate it into a corporation's existing switched network. You no longer have to wait months for your preferred switching vendor to either parallel the new technology or buy rights to it.

Both ISL and 802.1Q add VLAN information to the Ethernet frames explicitly. However, how they perform this process is different. With ISL, a 26-byte header and a 4-byte trailer are added to the frame; the original frame is not modified. This process is referred to as encapsulation. With 802.1Q, the actual frame is modified or tagged. To denote VLAN information, a 4-byte Tag Protocol Identifier (TPID) and a 2-byte Tag Control Information (TCI) are inserted between existing fields in the Ethernet frame, shown in Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.5Figure 3.5  802.1Q frame format.

Because the information is inserted into the original Ethernet frame, the original frame's CRC is regenerated to accommodate the change. The advantage of using the 802.1Q tagging process over ISL is that, in an ISL trunking environment, ISL-aware cards must be used because a frame could be larger than 1518 bytes—the maximum size of an Ethernet frame. With 802.1Q, the frame size is only increased by 4 bytes and can be forwarded by a non-802.1Q–aware device.

Because of the tagging information placed into a frame, 802.1Q provides some advantages over ISL:

  • If the MTU is only 1500 bytes (plus the 18 bytes for the MAC header and trailer), the 4-byte tag inserted into the frame totals 1522 bytes. By adjusting the MTU to 1496, the 802.1Q frame does not exceed Ethernet's maximum MTU and therefore can be processed by non-802.1Q devices, such as other switches. Other non-802.1Q switches process the frame like a normal Ethernet frame. (Remember that switches only need to see the destination MAC address to make a switching decision as well as check the CRC if the switch is using store-and-forward switching.)

  • 802.1Q supports prioritization, which is processed as the tagged frame is received on an 802.1Q interface.

NOTE

Cisco is phasing out ISL—as new switches are developed, only 802.1Q is implemented in them. For example, Cisco's discontinued 1900 supports only ISL, whereas Cisco's newer switches, such as the 2950 and 3550, support only 802.1Q.

CAUTION

ISL encapsulates, whereas 802.1Q tags. ISL adds a 26-byte header and 4-byte trailer (CRC). 802.1Q inserts a 4-byte field and recomputes the frame's CRC.

Native VLANs

802.1Q trunks support a native VLAN. A native VLAN is one that does not tag frames. This is different from ISL, where all VLANs that traverse the trunk carry VLAN information. Actually, a native VLAN has the following criteria:

  • A native VLAN is the VLAN number associated with the interface for nontagged frames.

  • The native VLAN defaults to VLAN 1 on Cisco switches, but can be configured to any VLAN. It's important to point out that all 802.1Q devices connected to the same trunk must use the same VLAN number for the native VLAN.

  • 802.1Q tagging devices and non-802.1Q devices can coexist on an 802.1Q trunk.

One advantage that native VLANs provide is that you can have both 802.1Q and non-802.1Q devices on the same trunk connection, as is shown in Figure 3.6. In this example, assume the native VLAN is 1 and that PC-D and PC-E are in this VLAN. As you can see from the figure, there is an 802.1Q trunk between the switches, but a hub is providing connectivity. Plus, PC-E is connected to this hub. For PC-E to send traffic to PC-D, PC-E either needs an 802.1Q NIC or must be placed in the native VLAN. The other PCs, PC-A, PC-B, and PC-C, are in another VLAN, such as VLAN 2, and can use normal NICs to communicate with each other. The trunk between the two switches tags frames from these devices with a VLAN 2 identifier.

Figure 3.6Figure 3.6 Native VLANs and trunking.

CAUTION

A native VLAN is a VLAN on an 802.1Q trunk where the frames for this VLAN are not tagged. This allows non-802.1Q devices to also be connected to the trunk, but still allows tagging of frames for other VLANs.

VLAN Ranges and Mappings

ISL supports VLANs numbered from 1–1005, where Ethernet-based VLANs can use numbers from 1–1001 to create VLANs. (1002–1005 are reserved for token ring and FDDI functions and cannot be deleted.)

802.1Q, on the other hand, has access to VLAN numbers ranging from 0–4095. 0 and 4095 are reserved for system uses, thus enabling you to use numbers from 1–4094 to create Ethernet VLANs.

VLAN Services from Service Providers

Some service providers allow for the tunneling of 802.1Q tagged frames through their networks. This enables you to use your own private VLAN numbers in your own networks, but still allow these tagged frames through the provider's network, which might also be using 802.1Q VLANs.

This provides a huge advantage to service providers based on the number of customers that they have and the VLANs that these customers use. 4,096 VLANs sounds like a lot of VLANs and is more than sufficient for a single company, but imagine that you have thousands of companies connected to a provider's network—perhaps with 10,000 VLANs among all of these companies. Of course, 802.1Q wouldn't be able to handle this when trying to keep all the VLANs straight among all the customers.

However, 802.1Q supports a tunneling feature that enables you to keep your own VLAN numbers as they are transferred across someone else's network. For this process to take place, the original Ethernet frame is tagged twice: once by your own switch, and again by the provider's switches. Figure 3.7 shows an example of this double tagging.

Figure 3.7Figure 3.7 802.1Q Double tagging.

As you can see in this example, the top frame is the original Ethernet frame and the middle frame is the frame that your switch tagged. The bottom frame is the one tagged by the service provider. With the second tagging, the service provider inserts its VLAN tag before your tag and then recomputes a new FCS value. When the frame exits the service provider's network and is forwarded to your remote site, the service provider removes its tag and recomputes the FCS value based on your original tagged frame. Through this process, your 802.1Q frame can be transmitted transparently through the service provider's network, based on its own internal VLAN configurations. The second tag that the provider adds is sometimes called a metro tag.

NOTE

Interestingly, multiple levels of tunneling (tagging) are possible, but Cisco currently supports only one level on its Catalyst switches.

For nontagged frames that enter a service provider's network from a native VLAN, the service provider performs its normal tagging process, which is stripped off at the service provider's exit switch.

When using tunneling, BPDUs from your internal switches, CDP information, and VTP information can be tunneled through a carrier's network to your remote switch or switches, enabling you to treat the service provider's network as transparent (invisible). If your provider doesn't support tunneling, the provider either processes or drops this information, and forwards only user traffic. 802.1Q tunneling is discussed in more depth in Chapter 11, "Metro Ethernet."

An alternative solution is the use of the Generic Bridge PDU Tunneling (GBPT) protocol. GBPT allows the service provider switch to change the original destination multicast address in the frame to a Cisco-proprietary one: 0100.0ccd.cdd0. This is then forwarded out all trunk connections in the native VLAN. One restriction of this feature is that when you enable GBPT on a port, frames from other enabled protocols are not sent out of the port.

CAUTION

Service providers use 802.1Q tunneling to tunnel tagged VLAN information across a carrier's backbone. This allows the carrier to connect to thousands of sites with different VLAN configurations and to treat them transparently.

Dynamic Trunk Protocol

Trunking negotiation is the process that takes place to determine whether two connecting devices can create a trunk connection. Dynamic ISL (DISL) was Cisco's old protocol that performed this (that is, it verified whether two connected ports could form a trunk). One large limitation of DISL was that it could perform the dynamic trunking negotiation only for ISL links; you had to manually configure 802.1Q trunks. DISL has been replaced by Cisco's proprietary Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP).

DTP, like DISL, is a protocol that auto-negotiates whether trunking can be performed on the connection. Unlike DISL, DTP supports auto-negotiation of ISL and 802.1Q on trunk links. If two opposite ports use different encapsulation types, such as ISL and 802.1Q, they will not form a trunk: Both sides must use the same encapsulation.

DTP supports five different trunking modes, as shown in Table 3.1. In this table, the DTP modes are the ones used with the switchport mode command, discussed later in this chapter. The Generate DTP Frames column indicates whether the DTP mode generates DTP frames on the interface (only trunk and dynamic desirable do this by default). The Trunking column indicates whether or not the interface is trunking (by default, only trunk and nonegotiate enable trunking). nonegotiate should be used on trunk connections where the remote device doesn't understand Cisco's proprietary DTP. The default trunking mode is dynamic auto, which means that the configuration of the remote interface determines whether the interface becomes a trunk or remains an access link connection.

Table 3.1 DTP Modes and Trunking Information

DTP Mode

Generate DTP Frames?

Trunking?

Explanation

Trunk

Yes

Yes

Forces the interface to trunk. Even if the other side cannot become a trunk port, this port will always be considered a trunk and generate DTP frames.

Access

No

No

Forces the interface not to trunk—it is an access link connection.

Dynamic Desirable

Yes

No

The port attempts to become a trunk port and, using DTP, becomes a trunk if the other side is set to trunk, dynamic desirable, or dynamic auto.

Dynamic Auto

No

No

The port becomes a trunk if the other side initiates trunking with DTP. This is the default mode.

Nonegotiate

No

Yes

The port becomes a trunk, just the same as with the trunk parameter, but it does not generate DTP frames between the two devices. This should be used when connected to a non-Cisco device.


Table 3.2 shows the combinations of modes that cause trunking to occur. Any other combination of modes causes the interface to act as an access link connection.

Table 3.2 When Trunks Are Formed

Side A Mode

Side B Mode(s)

Trunk

Trunk, Dynamic Desirable, Dynamic Auto

Dynamic Desirable

Trunk, Dynamic Desirable, Dynamic Auto

Nonegotiate

Nonegotiate


CAUTION

Know the DTP modes required on both switches in order to form a trunk, as shown in Table 3.2.

Configuring ISL and 802.1Q Trunks

Setting up an ISL or 802.1Q trunk is very straightforward, as shown here in Listing 3.1.

Listing 3.1 Trunk Configuration

Switch(config)# interface type slot_#/port_# 
Switch(config-if)# shutdown
Switch(config-if)# switchport trunk encapsulation isl|dotq1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode trunk|dynamic desirable|
            dynamic auto|nonegotiate
Switch(config-if)# switchport trunk native vlan VLAN_#
Switch(config-if)# switchport trunk allowed vlan add|except|all|remove
            VLAN_1, VLAN_2, etc.
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown

Even though it isn't necessary to disable an interface when enabling trunking, doing so is recommended. You must first specify either ISL or 802.1Q as the trunking type with the switchport trunk encapsulation command, shown in Listing 3.1, and then specify the trunking mode with the switchport mode trunk command. Refer to Table 3.1 for an explanation of the modes.

The switchport trunk native command is applicable only to 802.1Q trunks and is optional. This command specifies the native VLAN number for the trunk. By default, this is VLAN 1.

The switchport trunk allowed command is also an optional command. This command enables you to manually prune off VLANs from a trunk. By default, all VLANs are allowed to traverse a trunk. This is discussed in more depth in the "VTP Pruning" section later in this chapter.

CAUTION

Use the switchport trunk encapsulation command to specify ISL or 802.1Q trunking. Use the switchport mode command to set the trunk. Remember the five modes: trunk, dynamic desirable, dynamic auto, nonegotiate, and access. Use the switchport trunk vlan allowed command to restrict VLANs on a trunk. Don't be surprised to see a simulation question on this.

Verifying Your Trunk Configuration

There are three commands you can use to verify your trunking configuration:

  • show running-config interface type slot_#/port_#

  • show interfaces type 0/slot_# switchport

  • show interfaces type 0/slot_# trunk

Let's take a look at the output of all three of these commands. Listing 3.2 shows an example of the first one.

Listing 3.2 show running-config interface Example

Switch# show running-config interface fastethernet 0/1
Building configuration...
!
Current configuration: 33 bytes
interface FastEthernet 0/1
 switchport mode dynamic desirable
 switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
end

This listing displays the trunking configuration of FastEthernet 0/1.

Listing 3.3 shows an example of the show interfaces command with the switchport parameter.

Listing 3.3 show interface switchport Example

Switch# show interface fastethernet0/1 switchport 
Name: Fa0/1
Switchport: Enabled
Administrative mode: dynamic desirable
Operational Mode: trunk
Administrative Trunking Encapsulation: dot1q
Operational Trunking Encapsulation: dot1q
Negotiation of Trunking: Enabled
Access Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Trunking Native Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Trunking VLANs Enabled: ALL
Trunking VLANs Active: 1,2
Pruning VLANs Enabled: 2-1001
<--output omitted-->

This listing shows the switchport configuration of a specified interface. In this example, Fa0/1 is trunking with 802.1Q and the trunk mode is set to dynamic desirable.

Listing 3.4 shows an example of using the trunk parameter.

Listing 3.4 show interface trunk Example

2950# show interface fastethernet 0/1 trunk
Port  Mode    Encapsulation Status  Native vlan
Fa0/1  desirable 802.1q     trunking 1

Port Vlans allowed on trunk
Fa0/1 1-1005

Port Vlans allowed and active in management domain
Fa0/1 1-2,1002-1005

Port Vlans in spanning tree forwarding state and not pruned
Fa0/1 1-2,1002-1005

The listing shows that one interface was set to a desirable DTP mode and formed a trunk with the remote device.

Troubleshooting Trunk Connections

If you're experiencing problems in setting up a trunk or having problems with an active trunk, examine the following pointers:

  • Verify that the speed and duplexing configuration on both sides are correct and that you're using the correct cable type (crossover versus straight).

  • Make sure that the trunking type (ISL or 802.1Q) is the same on both sides and that the DTP modes are acceptable to forming a trunk.

  • For 802.1Q trunks, check that the native VLAN is the same on both sides.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020