254 Configuring Device Informationw w w . d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o mConfiguring VLANsVLANs are logical subgroups of a Local Area Network (LAN) created via software rather thandefining a hardware solution. VLANs combine user stations and network devices into a singledomain regardless of the physical LAN segment to which they are attached. VLANs allow networktraffic to flow more efficiently within subgroups. VLANs managed through software reduces theamount of time in which network changes are implemented.VLANs have no minimum number of ports, and can be created per device or any other logicalconnection combination, as VLANs are software based and not defined by physical attributes.VLANs function at Layer 2. Since VLANs isolate traffic within the VLAN, a Layer 3 routerfunctioning router is needed to allows traffic flow between VLANs. Layer 3 routers identifysegments and coordinate with VLANs. VLANs are broadcast and Multicast domains. Broadcast andMulticast traffic is transmitted only in the VLAN in which the traffic is generated.VLAN tagging provides a method of transferring VLAN information between VLAN groups. VLANtagging attaches a tag to packet headers. The VLAN tag indicates to which VLAN the packetbelongs. VLAN tags are attached to the packet by either the end station or by the network device.VLAN tags also contains VLAN network priority information. Combining VLANs and GVRPenables the automatic dispersal of VLAN information. To open the VLAN page, click Switch→VLAN in the tree view.
