Enterasys Networks FN 100 - Manual (Page 39)

3-1
Chapter 3
FN100 Virtual Switching
FN100 virtual switches; performing virtual switching
The FN100 Virtual Switching window ( Figure 3-1 ) allows you to refine your
network and control bandwidth usage by assigning the FN100’s ports to any of
four available virtual switches. This feature can be used to logically group
network users and control the amount and type of traffic that is propagated
beyond each logical group.
Using this window, you can configure up to four logical segments that can
include multiple physical segments attached to the front panel ports (e.g.,
physical segments inserted in ports 1, 2, 5, and 8 could all be assigned to Switch 3,
and would communicate as if they actually were on the same physical segment).
Using this capability, 10 and 100 Mbps devices can be placed on separate physical
segments, allowing the 100 Mbps devices to operate at full speed, and the switch
can treat both segments as a single logical network.
Each virtual switch is assigned a unique bridge ID and is treated as a separate
bridge by Spanning Tree. The bridge ID for each virtual switch is based on the
MAC address of the port in each group with the lowest index number.
The Default Switch setting determines which of the four available virtual switches
is queried for port-specific information for the Spanning Tree protocol. Because
each virtual switch is treated as a separate bridge by Spanning Tree, only ports
which are assigned to the Default Switch will be recognized by Spanning Tree and
correctly represented in the Bridge Status window.
Performing Virtual Switching
To launch the FN100 Virtual Switching window from the FN100 Chassis View:
1. Click to display the Device menu.
2. Drag down to Virtual Switching..., and release. The Virtual Switching
window (
Figure 3-1 ) will appear.