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.

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

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

Novell* NetWare*

UnixWare* (7.x ddi8)
and  OpenUnix* 8

 Linux*

FreeBSD*
Intel® PRO/10GbE Adapters          
Intel® PRO/10GbE SR Server Adapter Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 No No Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/10GbE LR Server Adapter Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 No No Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 Adapters          
Intel® PRO/1000 Gigabit Server Adapter (original) Yes No No Yes No
Intel® PRO/1000 XT, XF, T, F, MT, MF, P Server Adapters Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 CT, MB Server Connections Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 MT Desktop Adapters Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 T, Desktop Adapters Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/1000 XT, GT Desktop Connections Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel® PRO/100 Adapters          

Intel® PRO/100+ Management Adapter

Yes Yes No Yes No

Intel® PRO/100+ Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Intel® PRO/100+ Dual Port Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Intel® PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter

Yes Yes No Yes No

Intel® PRO/100 S Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Intel® PRO/100 S Dual Port Server Adapter

Yes Yes Yes Yes No

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

Yes No No No No

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


Last modified on 2/11/05 4:50p Revision 3