====== Virtual LAN (VLAN) ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

A **Virtual LAN (VLAN)** is a subnetwork which can group together collections of devices on separate physical [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:l:lan]]. A LAN is a group of computers and devices that share a communications line (i.e., [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:wired]]) or [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:wifi]] link (i.e., [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:wireless]]) to a [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:server]] within the same geographical area.

**VLANs** make it easy for network administrators to partition a single [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:switch | Switched]] network to match the functional and security requirements of their systems without having to run new cables or make major changes in their current network infrastructure. **VLANs** are often set up by larger businesses to re-partition devices for better traffic management.

VLANs are also important because they can help improve the overall performance of a network by grouping together devices that communicate most frequently. **VLANs** also provide security on larger networks by allowing a higher degree of control over which devices have access to each other. **VLANs** tend to be flexible because they are based on logical connections, rather than physical.

One or more network switches may support multiple, independent **VLANs**, creating an [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:o:osi]] [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:physicallayer]] (Layer 2 - data link) implementations of subnets. A VLAN is associated with a broadcast domain. It is usually composed of one or more network switches.

Source: [[https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/virtual-LAN ]]


/**=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
/* To add a discussion page to this page, comment out the line that says 
  ~~DISCUSSION:off~~
*/
~~DISCUSSION:on|Outstanding Issues~~
~~DISCUSSION:off~~