Virtual Local Area Networks

The purpose of this document is to provide a better understanding of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANS) and their use in the Network 21 architecture. In the following sections, we will define a VLAN and describe its benefits as well as some limitations. We will explain why it is important for a LAN administrator to understand VLANs, and give some basic instructions to determine how many VLANs a department would typically need. Lastly, contact information will be provided for any additional questions you might have.The main reasons for covering all of this is to further your understanding of the changes that will occur as part of Network 21 and to assist you in filling out the Network 21 Stage 3 Survey. Use of this information to determine a department’s VLAN needs will ease in the conversion process. If VLANs are well conceived in advance, the need to readdress devices and modify VLAN configurations more than once will not become an issue. This will save everyone involved a great deal of effort and minimize the amount of changes that will be needed following the initial conversion.

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