MULTILINK ML1200 MANAGED FIELD SWITCH – INSTRUCTION MANUAL 10–1
Multilink ML1200
Managed Field Switch
Chapter 10: VLAN
Digital Energy
Multilin
VLAN
10.1 VLAN Description
10.1.1 Overview
Short for virtual LAN (VLAN), a VLAN creates separate broadcast domains or network
segments that can span multiple MultiLink ML1200 Managed Field Switchs. A VLAN is a
group of ports designated by the switch as belonging to the same broadcast domain. The
IEEE 802.1Q specification establishes a standard method for inserting VLAN membership
information into Ethernet frames.
VLANs provide the capability of having two (or more) Ethernet segments co-exist on
common hardware. The reason for creating multiple segments in Ethernet is to isolate
broadcast domains. VLANs can isolate groups of users, or divide up traffic for security,
bandwidth management, etc. VLANs are widely used today and are here to stay. VLANs
need not be in one physical location. They can be spread across geography or topology.
VLAN membership information can be propagated across multiple MultiLink ML1200
Managed Field Switchs.