VLAN
Virtual Routing allows you to define VLANs, which are software defined groups of interfaces that communicate within one protocol seemingly as if they are on the same wire even though they are spread out on different LAN segments. Standard interface attributes can be applied to VLANs.
There are default VLANs that already exist and initially do not contain any ports:
These VLANs can be of several protocols:
IP - If you select IP, you can select either True or False for the Auto Config parameter. If Auto Config is enabled (True) the device will automatically detect and add ports to the VLAN in accordance with incoming broadcasts and ARP requests. This means that a network device can be moved to a different device port and remain in the same VLAN.
IP VLANs are automatically assigned a MAC address.
"Other" - The "Other" VLAN is a "super-VLAN" that includes all protocols for which VLANs have not been defined. However, it does not include IP or IPX. "Other" can be used to quickly configure the device as a full bridge.
In the following special cases, VLAN boundaries are crossed:
Unicast to Known Destination - bridged in accordance with its destination MAC address.
Unicast to Unknown Destination, not IP - bridged to the VLAN of that protocol if it includes the input port. If the VLAN of that protocol does not exist or does not include the input port, the packet is discarded.
Unicast to Unknown Destination, IP - bridged to all VLANs of that protocol that include the input port. If no VLANs of that protocol include the input port, the packet is discarded.
Broadcast from Unknown Subnet/Network, IP - bridged to all VLANs of that protocol that include the input port, if the VLAN has no IP interface. If no VLANs of that protocol include the input port, or if all VLANs that include the input port have IP interfaces, the packet is discarded.
For example, if there are VLANs in the switch that are each assigned to a different IPX network, but the VLANs should be on the same IP subnet, regular IP bridging will be confused, because the switch will receive the same MAC address from two different ports.
RADWARE devices enable special bridging by configuring special types of bridging based on the switch type.
If the switch supports forwarding of known unicasts between VLANs, the device forwards broadcasts or ARPs between the switch VLANs.
If the switch does not forward known unicasts between VLANs, the device forwards both unicasts and broadcasts, or unicasts and ARPs.
The following table lists the VLAN types that devices support:
|
VLAN Type |
Bridges Following Frames: |
|
Regular |
None. |
|
RoadcastAndUnicast |
ARP, IP broadcast and unicast frames |
The Virtual LAN window displays the current VLANs:
IF Number - The interface number of the VLAN, automatically assigned by the management station.
Protocol - The protocol of the VLAN. For an explanation of the VLAN protocols, see above.
Auto Config - When this parameter is enabled, the device will automatically detect and add interfaces to this IP VLAN in accordance with incoming IP broadcasts and ARP requests. This means that a network device can be moved to a different device port and remain in the same VLAN. This will be done only if the IP VLAN Auto Config is enabled. This parameter applies to IP VLANs only.
MAC Address - Permanent MAC address of the VLAN, automatically assigned by the device. This parameter applies to IP and IPX VLANs only.
Type - Either a regular or a broadcast type VLAN.