A Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a logical network grouping that enables you to isolate network traffic so members of the VLAN receive traffic only from other members. With VLANs, you can group PCs together into logical workgroups, a critical consideration when connecting clients to servers that are geographically dispersed across the building, campus, or enterprise network.
By using VLANs on the network, you can:
Limit broadcast storms
Improve adds, moves, and changes of network connections
Reduce security problems
Ease your management task
Use the following topics to configure VLANs with Intel® PROSet:
There are switch-based VLANs, also called implicit VLANs, and tag-based VLANs, which are also called explicit VLANs.
Implicit VLANs are based on switch capabilities such as port number, MAC address, and other layer two functions. The default VLAN on many switches, including most Cisco* products, is an implicit VLAN. Implicit VLANs are configured only on the switch. The switch does not alter or tag packets to enforce an implicit VLAN. All Intel adapters can participate in implicit VLANs.
Explicit VLANs are based on the addition of a four-byte tag (802.3ac) to each packet header. Each IEEE VLAN must be set up throughout the network including on the adapter and all link partners.
VLANs may be set dynamically with the GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP). GVRP is an industry-standard protocol designed to dynamically create and manage VLAN information from device to device. With GVRP, a single switch is manually configured with all the desired VLANs for the network, and all other switches on the network obtain the VLAN information dynamically.For more information, see the GVRP section.
VLANs require:
Switches on the network capable of supporting 802.1Q VLANs
Adapters capable of supporting 802.1Q VLANs, which include:
Intel PRO/100+
Intel PRO/100 S
Intel PRO/1000
Intel PRO/100B Adapters do not support VLANs.
For overview information on Intel VLANs, visit the Intel Networking Web site at http://www.intel.com/network.
See also: