Fixed Switch Configuration Guide 9-1
9
Configuring VLANs
This chapter describes how to configure VLANs on Enterasys fixed stackable and standalone
switches.
VLAN Overview
A VLAN is a Virtual Local Area Network — a grouping of network devices that is logically
segmented by functions, project teams, or applications without regard to the physical location of
users. For example, several end stations might be grouped as a department, such as Engineering
or Finance, having the same attributes as a LAN, even though they are not all on the same physical
LAN segment.
To accomplish this logical grouping, the network administrator uses 802.1Q VLAN-capable
switching devices and assigns each switch port in a particular group to a VLAN. Ports in a VLAN
share broadcast traffic and belong to the same broadcast domain. Broadcast traffic in one VLAN is
not transmitted outside that VLAN.
Using VLANs to Partition Your Network
Virtual LANs allow you to partition network traffic into logical groups and control the flow of that
traffic through the network. Once the traffic and, in effect, the users creating the traffic, are
assigned to a VLAN, then broadcast and multicast traffic is contained within the VLAN and users
can be allowed or denied access to any of the network’s resources. Also, you have the option of
configuring some or all of the ports on a device to allow frames received with a particular VLAN
ID and protocol to be transmitted on a limited number of ports. This keeps the traffic associated
with a particular VLAN and protocol isolated from the other parts of the network.
The primary benefit of 802.1Q VLAN technology is that it allows you to localize and segregate
traffic, improving your administrative efficiency, and enhancing your network security and
performance.
Figure 9-1 shows a simple example of using port-based VLANs to achieve these benefits. In this
example, two buildings house the Sales and Finance departments of a single company, and each
For information about... Refer to page...
VLAN Overview 9-1
Implementing VLANs 9-2
Understanding How VLANs Operate 9-3
VLAN Support on Enterasys Switches 9-6
Configuring VLANs 9-8
Terms and Definitions 9-14
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