Pathway Connectivity
VIA 12 Manual
V3 – April 2015
24
Appendix 2: Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a group of ports on the switch (or switches) that
are configured to pass traffic to one another, but not to ports on any other VLAN. When
multiple VLANs are established, some ports on the switch may need to be configured
specifically to pass all VLAN traffic, to ensure overall traffic is routed correctly.
This feature allows the user to arrange lighting consoles, nodes and other network gear
into groups of equipment. The usual purpose is to minimize unnecessary traffic to the
equipment, or to segregate different types of equipment (lighting, audio, video) so that
the network does not get flooded with redundant data.
Definitions
VLAN naming practices are confusing. The following terms are paired interchangeably
in this manual: Normal and Untagged; Uplink and Tagged.
Normal/Untagged ports belong to a specific VLAN as configured by the user, and will
only pass traffic that belongs to that VLAN. Typically connected to end equipment.
Uplink/Tagged ports pass all network traffic with VLAN ‘tags’ within the VLAN range
established for that switch (see Range Configuration below). Typically connected to
other switches.
Tag refers to the marker added to (or removed from) the data packet as the packet
enters or exits from a Normal/Untagged port on the switch. The “Tag” determines which
VLAN the data packet is assigned to.
Management VLAN refers to the VLAN that the switch’s management processor is
assigned to use. Care must be taken that the Management VLAN is used by at least
one Normal/Untagged port on the switch, or the ability to configure the switch may be
lost. It is strongly recommended that the Management VLAN be identical to the VLAN
Range Start.
VLAN ID (ID#) is assigned to Normal/Untagged ports and determines which VLAN that
port operates within.
Currently, a Normal/Untagged port may only be associated with one VLAN ID# at a
given time.
Software Configuration of VLANs
VLANs may be configured from builds of Pathport Manager 5 software that support this
feature, or from the newly released VIA Manager. Refer to the appropriate
documentation for configuration instructions.
When using software to configure the switch, make sure your computer is connected to
a Normal (Untagged) port set to the same VLAN ID# as used by the management
processor. Failure to do so will prevent configuration from being applied.
