Modular L3 Ethernet Switch User’s Guide
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The device VLANs are defined as groups of physical interfaces or ports that share the same
network protocols. Once a VLAN is defined, bridging is performed within the VLAN.
For example, if a DECnet VLAN is defined on ports 2 and 3, all DEC traffic between these ports
are bridged.
For IP and IPX VLANs, usually every VLAN is one IP subnet or IPX network. Bridging is
performed between interfaces that belong to the same VLAN. Routing can be activated between
the VLANs.
The following VLAN types can be created:
•
IP.
•
IPX (four encapsulation types).
•
DECnet.
•
DEC LAT.
•
XNS.
•
SNA.
•
AppleTalk.
•
NetBios.
•
Other (a super-VLAN that includes all protocols for which VLANs have not been
defined, except IP and IPX), and "User-defined" (for defining an unlisted protocol
or a subnet).
Ports groups associated with a VLAN are user-assigned. For IP protocol VLANs, the
AutoConfig
feature can be invoked to cause the device to automatically detect the port configurations.
VLAN Features
The following sections describe the features that are provided with the use of VLANs. This
section includes:
•
Bridging Between Network LANs.
•
VLAN AutoConfig.
•
Scalability.
Bridging Between Network LANs
VLANs effectively performs bridging for non-routable protocols (non-router IP or IPX
networks), such as DECnet, DEClat, AppleTalk, and others.
VLAN AutoConfig
IP VLANs can be location independent. When moving stations to other ports that are not
members of the original VLAN, configuration changes are necessary to inform the router that the
VLAN has been extended to the new destination port. For example, a laptop or PC can be
connected to any network port, even across a WAN connection, and remain a member of the
same VLAN.
With VLAN AutoConfig enabled, changing the system in real-time is automatically detected.
When a change is detected and signaled, the VLAN configuration must be entered into the
system to activate it. The AutoDiscover feature controls the VLAN change detection procedure.
Scalability
Device units can grow with your network, providing all routing services wherever needed. The
following figure illustrates some various connection configuration options.
Summary of Contents for DES-6300
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