vlan creation myth...

actual cert question from reputable (nameless) cert type authority...

which of the following steps are necessary to add a new vlan to a switched network
select all that apply

a) create vlan
b) name vlan
c) configure ip address for vlan
d) add desired ports to vlan
e) add vlan to vtp domain

given answer a,b,d

WRONG...  read the question... necessary to add a new vlan
only a) is correct... of course it's pretty useless without the other stuff, but that wasn't the question... see below...

sw3550_01(config)#vlan 69
sw3550_01(config-vlan)#end
sw3550_01#sh vlan

VLAN Name                             Status    Ports
---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------
1    default                          active    Fa0/1, Fa0/2, Fa0/3, Fa0/4
                                                Fa0/5, Fa0/6, Fa0/7, Fa0/8
                                                Fa0/9, Fa0/10, Fa0/11, Fa0/12
                                                Fa0/13, Fa0/14, Fa0/15, Fa0/16
                                                Fa0/17, Fa0/18, Fa0/19, Fa0/20
                                                Fa0/22, Gi0/1, Gi0/2
2    hosts                            active
10   10                               active
69   VLAN0069                         active

note that the only requirement to CREATE a vlan is:

sw3550_01(config)#vlan 69

the others are options; the name is plugged in by default, added ports are not necessary, and the new vlan is automatically activated...

from the horse's mouth...
http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=29803

VLANs are created by number, and there are two ranges of usable VLAN numbers (normal range 1–1000 and extended range 1025–4096). When a VLAN is created, you can also give it certain attributes such as a VLAN name, VLAN type, and its operational state.

be very afraid...