VLAN Segmentation and Tagging

VLANs provide logical segmentation of networks by creating separate broadcast domains, which can span multiple physical network segments. Arrays support VLANs, after the initial array setup has been completed. VLANs can be grouped by departments, such as engineering and accounting, or by projects, such as release1 and release2. Because physical proximity of the end-stations is not essential in a VLAN, you can disperse the end-stations geographically and still contain the broadcast domain in a switched network. You can also use a Target Subnet List to limit the number of VLAN-tagged subnets that can access an end-station. VLANs provide a number of advantages such as ease of administration, confinement of broadcast domains, reduced network traffic, and enforcement of security policies.

VLAN tagging simplifies network management by allowing multiple broadcast domains or VLANs to be connected through a single cable. This is done by prepending a header to each network frame, which identifies the VLAN to which the frame belongs. Switches can be configured to route traffic for a given VLAN through a certain set of ports that match the VLAN tag.