VLAN Tagging Protocol
VLAN tagging, part of the IEEE 802.1Q networking protocol, facilitates Ethernet networks and supports Virtual Local Area Networks, or VLANS. For traffic from more than one VLAN to traverse a link that connects two switches, you must configure a VLAN tagging method on the ports that supply the link, as noted by networking expert Dan DiNicolo on the NetworkNewz.com blog. The IEEE 802.1Q protocol defines VLAN tagging both for Ethernet frames and the switches and bridges that handle Ethernet frames. Networks that conform to IEEE 802.1Q can use VLAN tags, which differentiate the network from a default VLAN and allow ports to be configured to a specific VLAN. The four main VLAN tagging methods include ISL tagging, IEEE 802.1q, LAN emulation and 802.10 FDDI mapping.
Other People Are Reading
-
ISL Tagging
-
ISL, or inter-switch link tagging is a VLAN tagging protocol from Cisco used in networking between routers, servers and switch ports. ISL tags encapsulate the Ethernet frame and are thus considered external tags. ISL tagging works only over Gigabit Ethernet and FastEthernet.
IEEE 802.1q
-
IEEE 802.1q is an open-standard networking protocol. With IEEE 802.1q, tags are internal, which allows frames to use standard Ethernet networks. IEEE 802.1q is widely compatible with network equipment, which helps make it the most popular method of VLAN tagging.
-
LAN Emulation
-
LAN Emulation, or LANE, enables VLAN creation between offices in far-flung locations, using WAN, wide area network, links. LANE clients connect to a LAN Emulation Server to handle network traffic.
802.10 FDDI Mapping
-
802.10 FDDI, Fiber Distributed Data Interface, mapping connects two catalyst switches that are connected to an FDDI backbone. Either one VLAN or all VLANs are able to pass through the network.
-
