PLANET WGSW-52040 - Manual (Page 150)

Chapter 20 VLAN Configuration
20.1 VLAN Configuration
20.1.1 Introduction to VLAN
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a technology that divides the logical addresses of
devices within the network to separate network segments basing on functions, applications or
management requirements. By this way, virtual workgroups can be formed regardless of the
physical location of the devices. IEEE announced IEEE 802.1Q protocol to direct the
standardized VLAN implementation, and the VLAN function of switch is implemented following
IEEE 802.1Q.
The key idea of VLAN technology is that a large LAN can be partitioned into many separate
broadcast domains dynamically to meet the demands.
Figure 20-1: A VLAN network defined logically
Each broadcast domain is a VLAN. VLANs have the same properties as the physical LANs,
except VLAN is a logical partition rather than physical one. Therefore, the partition of VLANs
can be performed regardless of physical locations, and the broadcast, multicast and unicast
traffic within a VLAN is separated from the other VLANs.
Switch Switch Switch
VLAN1
Server Server Server
PC
VLAN2
PC PC
PC PC
Laser Printer
VLAN3
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