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802.1Q VLAN User’s Guide 2-1
CHAPTER 2
VLAN OPERATION
This chapter describes the operation of a VLAN switch and discusses the
operations that a VLAN switch performs in response to both normal and
VLAN-originated network traffic.
2.1 DESCRIPTION
The 802.1Q VLAN operation is slightly different than the operation of
traditional switched networking systems. These differences are due to the
importance of keeping track of each frame and its VLAN association as it
passes from switch to switch or from port to port within a switch.
2.2 VLAN COMPONENTS
Before describing the operation of an 802.1Q VLAN, it is important to
understand the basic elements that are combined to make up an 802.1Q
VLAN.
Stations
A station is any end unit that belongs to a network. In the vast majority of
cases, stations are the computers through which the users access the
network.
Switches
In order to configure a group of stations into a VLAN, the stations must
be connected to VLAN aware switches. It is the job of the switch to
classify received frames into VLAN memberships and transmit frames,
according to VLAN membership, with or without a VLAN Tag Header.