Dimension ES-2008 Ethernet Switch

Figure 1-2 Bridging Application Example

1.4.3 VLAN Application

VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) allows a physical network to be partitioned into multiple logical networks. Stations on a logical network belong to one group. A station can belong to more than one group. With VLAN, a station cannot directly talk to or hear from stations that are not in the same group(s); the traffic must first go through a router.

As well as security, VLANs also increase network performance by limiting broadcasts to a smaller and more manageable logical broadcast domain. In traditional switched environments, all broadcast packets go to each and every individual port. With VLAN, broadcasts are confined to the members of the VLAN. Note that VLANs are unidirectional - they only govern outgoing traffic.

Port-based VLANs are VLANs where the packet forwarding decision is based on the destination MAC address and its associated port.

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Getting to Know Your ES-2008