Advanced Configuration Features
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Horizon Compact Release 1.01.00 Wireless Ethernet Product User Manual – Volume 2
3.2 Management VLAN Tagging
3.2.1 VLAN Tagging Overview
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a single–broadcast domain. If a user broadcasts information on the LAN,
every other user on the LAN receives the broadcast. A router prevents broadcast messages from leaving
a LAN. The result is a reduction in the number of collisions and an improvement in performance.
A network manager can create smaller broadcast domains and reduce network broadcasts by logically
segmenting a LAN into different broadcast domains. These broadcast domains are called Virtual Local
Area Networks (VLANs). Workstations on a VLAN do not have to be physically located together because
they are segmented logically and not physically.
VLANs offer a number of advantages over traditional LANs including:
• performance
• security
• formation of virtual workgroups
• cost reduction
All ports on a switch are configured for a default VLAN (usually VLAN1). When a switch receives data
from a workstation, the switch tags the data with a VLAN identifier that indicates the originating VLAN.
The switch sends the data to the ports inside the VLAN where the data originated. The switch also sends
the data to a trunking port if one is available.
Network Administrators create VLAN groups and place backbone network devices into the VLAN group to
simplify administration and increase security of the devices. VLAN tagging allows network administrators
to add Horizon Compact nodes to the administrative network. VLAN tagging restricts administrative
access to devices that are members of the VLAN group.
3.2.2 802.1Q Tagging
VLAN Standard: IEEE 802.1q Draft Standard. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE) is working on a draft standard 802.1q for virtual local area networks. Currently, most products are
proprietary. This means that if you wish to install VLANs, you may have to purchase all products from the
same vendor. DragonWave implements Horizon Compact VLAN Tagging using the IEEE 802.1q
standard. For more information on the Standard, see the Web page:
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/1/pages/802.1Q.html
3.2.3 VLAN Tagging Implementation in Horizon
Note: The configuration of Horizon Compact VLAN tagging is only necessary if you wish to restrict
management communications to a Horizon Compact to a specific management VLAN.
The Horizon Compact system will pass user VLAN traffic transparently, independent of the Horizon
Compact VLAN settings. The VLAN settings are for Horizon Compact management purposes and do not
affect user data or traffic. Note that the Horizon Compact system handles Ethernet packet sizes up to
9600 bytes.
There are three parameters associated with Horizon Compact VLAN tagging:
1. Enable or disable VLAN tagging (set VLAN tagging [on/off])
2. Identify the VLAN tag id to be used with Horizon Compact (set VLAN tag [tag id])
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