Enterasys Networks Fast Network 10 - Manual (Page 24)

Chapter 1: Introduction
Page 1-14 Fast Network 10 User Guide
1.5.4.3 Virtual Workgroups
The FN10 allows you to define ports for logical groups of associated hosts
(virtual workgroups) to provide a more efficient flow of traffic across your
Ethernet network.
Virtual workgroups offer you the ability to limit broadcasts to logical
domains within the network. Workgroup destinations are recognized by
the FN10 and broadcast packets are routed directly to hosts within the
workgroup, eliminating the need to perform a general broadcast across
each segment of the network to find specific host addresses.
Figure 1-9 shows two Ethernet segments, A and B, that do not include a
FN10.
Figure 1-9 Multiple Ethernet Segments Sharing 10 Mbps Bandwidth
Each host on segments A and B is limited to sharing a network bandwidth
of 10 Mbps.
Figure 1-10 shows two Ethernet segments that take advantage of the
virtual workgroup feature of the FN10 and the increased bandwidth
applied to each A and B host.
A B
Router
Traffic Traffic