Virtual LANs

The term VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) refers to a collection of devices that communicate as if they were on the same physical LAN. Any set of ports (including all ports on the switch) can be considered a VLAN.

LAN segments are not restricted by the hardware that physically connects them. The segments are defined by flexible user groups you create with the command-line interface.

VLANs offer the ability to group computers together into logical workgroups. This can simplify network administration when connecting clients to servers that are geographically dispersed across the building, campus, or enterprise network.

Typically, VLANs consist of co-workers within the same department but in different locations, groups of users running the same network protocol, or a cross-functional team working on a joint project. 

 

By using VLANs on your network, you can:

VLAN Support Matrix

The following table identifies the combinations of Intel adapters and operating systems that support IEEE 802.1Q VLANs.

Operating System

Intel product

Windows*  
(NT* 4.0, 2000, XP, Windows Server 2003 Server)

NetWare*

UnixWare* (7.x ddi8)
and  OpenUnix* 8

 Linux*

Solaris* FreeBSD*
Intel® PRO/1000 Adapters            
Intel® PRO/1000 Server Adapter (original) Yes No No No No No
Intel® PRO/1000 XT, XF, T, F, MT, MF Server Adapters Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 MT Desktop Adapters Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 T, Desktop Adapters Yes No No Yes No Yes
Intel® PRO/100 Adapters            

Intel® PRO/100+ Management Adapter

Yes No No No No No

Intel® PRO/100+ Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

Intel® PRO/100+ Dual Port Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

Intel® PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter

Yes No No No No No

Intel® PRO/100 S Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

Intel® PRO/100 S Dual Port Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

Intel® PRO/100 VE and VM Desktop Adapters and Network Connections

Yes No No No No No

 
NOTE: Solaris and FreeBSD support only Intel PRO/1000 adapters.

CAUTION: When using IEEE 802 VLANs, settings must match between the switch and those adapters using the VLANs.


Last modified on 1/26/04 6:05p Revision 15