SMC Networks SMC7724M/VSW manual Vlan Configuration

VLAN CONFIGURATION

VLAN Configuration

In conventional networks with routers, broadcast traffic is split up into separate domains. Switches do not inherently support broadcast domains. This can lead to broadcast storms in large networks that handle traffic such as IPX or NetBeui. By using IEEE 802.1Q-compliant VLANs, you can organize any group of network nodes into separate broadcast domains, thus confining broadcast traffic to the originating group. This also provides a more secure and cleaner network environment.

An IEEE 802.1Q VLAN is a group of ports that can be located anywhere in the network, but communicate as though they belong to the same physical segment.

VLANs help to simplify network management by allowing you to move devices to a new VLAN without having to change any physical connections. VLANs can be easily organized to reflect departmental groups (such as Marketing or R&D), usage groups (such as e-mail), or multicast groups (used for multimedia applications such as videoconferencing.)

VLANs provide greater network efficiency by reducing broadcast traffic, and allow you to make network changes without having to update IP addresses or IP subnets. VLANs inherently provide a high level of network security since traffic must pass through a configured Layer 3 link to reach a different VLAN.

•Up to 255 VLANs based on the IEEE 802.1Q standard

•Distributed VLAN learning across multiple switches using explicit or implicit tagging and GVRP protocol

•Port overlapping, allowing a port to participate in multiple VLANs

•End stations can belong to multiple VLANs

•Priority tagging

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