3Com 3C17203 - SuperStack 3 Switch 4400, Implementation Manual

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8
S
ETTING
U
P
V
IRTUAL
LAN
S
Setting up Virtual LANs (VLANs) on your Switch increases the efficiency of
your network by dividing the LAN into logical, rather than physical,
segments which are easier to manage.
This chapter explains more about the concept of VLANs and explains how
they can be implemented on your Switch. It covers the following topics:
■
What are VLANs?
■
Benefits of VLANs
■
VLANs and Your Switch
■
VLAN Configuration Examples
For detailed descriptions of the Web interface operations and the
Command Line Interface (CLI) commands that you require to manage the
Switch please refer to the Management Interface Reference Guide
supplied in HTML format on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch.
What are VLANs?
A VLAN is a flexible group of devices that can be located anywhere in a
network, but which communicate as if they are on the same physical
segment. With VLANs, you can segment your network without being
restricted by physical connections — a limitation of traditional network
design. As an example, with VLANs you can segment your network
according to:
■
Departmental groups — For example, you can have one VLAN for
the Marketing department, another for the Finance department, and
another for the Development department.
■
Hierarchical groups — For example, you can have one VLAN for
directors, another for managers, and another for general staff.
■
Usage groups — For example, you can have one VLAN for users of
e-mail, and another for users of multimedia.