Chapter 1 Getting to Know Your Switch
XGS4600 Series User’s Guide
28
In this example, all computers can share high-speed applications on the server and access the Internet.
To expand the network, simply add more networking devices such as switches, routers, computers, print
servers and so on.
Figure 4 Gigabit to the Desktop
1.2.4 IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Application Examples
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) allows a physical network to be partitioned into multiple logical
networks. Stations on a logical network belong to one or more groups. With VLAN, a station cannot
directly talk to or hear from stations that are not in the same groups unless such traffic first goes through
a router.
1.2.4.1 Tag-based VLAN Example
Ports in the same VLAN group share the same frame broadcast domain thus increase network
performance through reduced broadcast traffic. VLAN groups can be modified at any time by adding,
moving or changing ports without any re-cabling.
Shared resources such as a server can be used by all ports in the same VLAN as the server. In the
following figure only ports that need access to the server need to be part of VLAN 1. Ports can belong to
other VLAN groups too.
Figure 5 Shared Server Using VLAN Example