# Virtual LANs

A Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices put together as a LAN regardless of their physical grouping. VLANs let a user see and access only specified network segments and limits collision domains. This increases network performance and allows network security.

| 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 adds, moves, and changes

- Minimize security problems

- Ease your management task

## VLAN Support Matrix

The following table identifies the combinations of Intel adapters and operating systems that support IEEE 802.1Q VLANs.

Operating System► ▼Intel adapter | Windows* (NT* 4.0, 2000, XP) | NetWare* (4.11 and above) | UnixWare* (7.x ddi8) and OpenUnix* 8 | Linux*
Intel PRO/100+ Management Adapter | Yes | No | No | No
Intel PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter | Yes | No | No | No
Intel PRO/100 VE and VM Desktop Adapters and Network Connections | Yes | No | No | No

- Windows NT 4.0 VLANs require Service Pack 6a or later.

- To set up IEEE VLAN membership (multiple VLANs), your adapter must be attached to a switch with IEEE 802.1Q VLAN capability.

- The Intel PRO/100 VE and VM Desktop Adapters and Network Connections can be used in a switch based VLAN but does not support IEEE Tagging. The Intel PRO/10 VE, VM adapter has to be placed in an untagged port on that switch, in a single domain.

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

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