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Virtual LANs: Intel® Network Adapters User Guide

Overview
Supported Operating Systems
Other Implementation Considerations

Overview

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.

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:

• Improve network performance
• Limit broadcast storms
• Improve LAN configuration updates (adds, moves, and changes)
• Minimize security problems
• Ease your management task

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Supported Operating Systems

IEEE VLANs are supported in the following operating systems. Configuration details are contained in the following links:

• Windows* Server 2003
• Windows 2000
• Novell NetWare*
• Red Hat Linux*

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Other Implementation Considerations

• To set up IEEE VLAN membership (multiple VLANs), the adapter must be attached to a switch with IEEE 802.1Q VLAN capability.
• In most environments, a maximum of 64 VLANs per server can be set up.
• VLANs can co-exist with teaming. If you do this, the team must be defined first, then you can set up your VLAN.

IMPORTANT: When using IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, VLAN ID settings must match between the switch and those adapters using the VLANs.

Please read all restrictions and disclaimers.

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