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Virtual LAN

Virtual LAN

A virtual LAN (VLAN) is a group of hosts or network devices that form a single broadcast domain. Layer 2 trunking protocols such as 802.lq and Inter-Switch Link (ISL) allow a VLAN to extend across multiple network devices, including routers and LAN switches.

VLANs group related users regardless of where their physical hosts connect to the network. You might group users according to their functional team or location. The goal is to group users into VLANs so their traffic stays within the VLAN. This grouping provides the following benefits:

  • Broadcast control
  • Security
  • Performance
  • Network management

Switches communicate with each other using a trunking protocol such as Cisco’s ISL or the public domain 802.lq. These trunking protocols preserve the VLAN identification associated with a packet so that VLANs can extend across multiple switches. Routers can also recognize trunking and route amongst the VLANs.

Virtual LANS (VLANs) provide the means to logically group several end stations with common sets of requirements. VLANs are independent of physical locations, meaning that two end stations connected to different switches on different floors can belong to the same VLAN. Typically, the logical grouping follows workgroup functions such as engineering or finance, but you can customize them as well.

With VLANS, it’s easier to assign access rules and provision services to groups of users regardless of their physical location. For example, using VLANs, you can give all members of a project team access to project files by virtue of their VLAN membership. This ability also makes it easier to add or delete users without re-running cables or changing network addresses.

VLANs also create their own broadcast domains without the addition of Layer 3 devices.




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