Pilz PSSnet SHL 8T MRP - Manual (Page 132)

Network load control
PSSnet SHL - Basic Configuration
Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, Felix- Wankel Str. 2, 73760 Ostfildern
8.6 VLANs
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8.6 VLANs
8.6.1 VLAN description
In the simplest case, a virtual LAN (VLAN) consists of a group of network par-
ticipants in one network segment who can communicate with each other as
if they belonged to a separate LAN.
More complex VLANs span out over multiple network segments and are also
based on logical (instead of only physical) connections between network par-
ticipants. Thus VLANs are an element of flexible network design, as you can
reconfigure logical connections centrally more easily than cable connections.
The IEEE 802.1Q standard defines the VLAN function.
The most important benefits of VLANs are:
X Network load limiting
VLANs can reduce the network load considerably as a Switch only trans-
mits Broadcast/Multicast data packets and Unicast packets with unknown
(unlearned) destination addresses within the virtual LAN. The rest of the
data network is unaffected by this.
X Flexibility
You have the option of forming user groups flexibly based on the function
of the participants and not on their physical location or medium.
X Clarity
VLANs give networks a clear structure and make maintenance easier.