Configure and Manage VLANs

VLANs are used to segment network traffic so that VLAN configuration and port assignment is handled through software. This eliminates the need to physically change a network device connection or location when adding or removing devices from the VLAN broadcast domain.

The initial configuration for all switches consists of a default VLAN 1 and all device ports are initially assigned to this VLAN. If additional VLANs are not configured on the switch, then the entire switch is treated as one large broadcast domain. All ports will receive all traffic from all other ports.

In compliance with the IEEE 802.1Q standard, each VLAN is identified by a unique number, referred to as the VLAN ID. The user specifies a VLAN ID to create, modify or remove a VLAN and to assign switch ports to a VLAN. When a packet is received on a port, the VLAN ID for that port is inserted into the packet. The packet is then bridged to other ports that are assigned to the same VLAN ID. In essence, the VLAN broadcast domain is defined by a collection of ports and packets assigned to its VLAN ID.

The operational status of a VLAN remains inactive until at least one active switch port is assigned to the VLAN. This means that VLAN properties, such as Spanning Tree and/or router interfaces, also remain inactive. Ports are considered active if they are connected to an active network device. Non-active port assignments are allowed, but do not change the VLAN's operational state.

To access the VLAN group of applications, click on the LAN option under the “Configure” section of the OmniVista Cirrus Menu. When you click on the LAN option, the following list of applications is provided to assist with configuring VLAN network management:

• Layer 2

• Layer 3