Routing and Switching

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VLAN

A Virtual Local Network (VLAN) refers to a networking of computers that behave as if they have a connection to a similar wire. Physically, they may be have a location in different segments within the LAN. The VLAN has a configuration through the software, as opposed to the hardware. This gives a significant advantage to the VLAN since that increases its flexibility. Therefore, when physical movement takes place, it is capable of staying within the same VLAN without a single hardware configuration (Tarnay et al., 2011).

Reasons for implementation of a VLAN

The implementation of a VLAN is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it offers great functionality for almost all networks. This is because its creation has a move towards the separation of networks into separate broadcasts. This takes place with other networks function in different locations well. For instance, if a business organization contains various departments like human Resources and Sales, the VLANS become implements for every department. This creates an individual network throughout the business organizations. In addition, they are cost effective and do not have a compromise for high security need and performance (Solomon & Kim, 2013).

VLAN Trunk

The VLAN trunk provides for the automatic definitions existing between the distribution switches and the core switch. This insinuates that the core switch needs one definition to allow for automatic propagation to all the available network distribution switches. After the propagation of the VLAN to the distribution switch, there is the performance of assigning ports to the VLAN.

Protocol alternatives existing during implementation in the Cisco environment

During implementation on the Cisco environment, the VLAN Trunk Protocol is important. It is the second layer protocol responsible for addition, removal and modifications of VLANs in the network. The VTP has a design that allows the provision of automatic distribution of definitions from the main switch to distribution switches (Tarnay et al., 2011).

Configuration of a VLAN trunk

The use of a switched VLAN allows room for the creation of groups of logical networking devices acting as though they have their own independent network. This includes the sharing of common infrastructure with the other VLANs. The configuration of a VLAN requires one to assign it a number ID. In addition, there is the provision of the naming option. The VLAN implementation helps to associate ports with particular VLANs. The configuration can be in such a way as to forward a frame to a certain VLAN. A port can then have a configuration for supporting all the VLAN types (Tarnay et al., 2011).

Operation of VLAN trunkingThe VLAN trunking allows the movement of traffic to separate parts of the network with a configuration in the VLAN. The trunk gives the provision of a point-to-point linkage between networking devices carrying two and above VLANs. The VLAN trunking enables the extension of the configured VLAN throughout the entire network. The sole purpose of the VPT is the provision of switches through which there is management of the individual switches. This takes place as a group for the purposes of VLAN configuration (Solomon & Kim, 2013).

Major considerations in configuring a VLAN trunk that uses VTP

In case a switch happens to be part of the VTP management domain, every switch should have a configuration to one of the three possible models. They three models include:

Serve mode

The server is the default mode used if the VTP undergoes configuration. The server mode is suitable for addition, deletion and modification of VLANs. The information goes through other switches within the VTP management domain.

Client mode

The mode is the recipient of the added, deleted, or modified VLANs by a switch at the server mode that happens to be within the same management domain. The mode cannot manage to make any significant changes to the VLAN information.

Transparent mode

It passes the updates from the VTP that the switches receive in the server mode to others in the VTP managed domain. However, it cannot make to process the contents of the messages. When the individual VLANs have an addition or deletion or even a modification on switch running in this mode, changes are local to the particular switch alone. The remaining switches are not subject to effecting in the VTP management domain (Tarnay et al., 2011).

VTP pruning

Virtual Tuning Protocol (VTP) stands for VLAN Trunk Protocol used within the multi VLAN structure. When classifying VLAN within a single core switch, one can set up the VTP client and domain core switch in the edge switch and define a trunk port between them. The edge switch can be in a transparent mode that transports the core switch to the other switch. VTP ascertain that all switches in the VTP domain are aware of all VLANs. Sometimes VTP creates unnecessary traffic; VTP pruning comes in and eliminates the unnecessary traffic. VTP pruning enhances the available bandwidth by preventing the hectic traffic in those trunk links that the traffic is to use when access the appropriate network devices. This control of the unnecessary traffic is described as VTP pruning (Solomon & Kim, 2013).

Comparison of trunking with switch port aggregation using Ether Channel

Ether Channel is a port trunking technology used mainly on Cisco switches. It enhances classification of various physical Ethernet connections to create one consistent Ethernet connection for the reason of giving fault-tolerance and high-speed links among routers, switches and servers.An Ether Channel is created between two and eight active Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet or 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as an additional one to eight inactive ports which later become active while the other active ports fail.

References

Solomon, M., & Kim, D. (2013). Fundamentals of communications and networking.

Tarnay, K., Adamis, G., &Dulai, T. (2011). Advanced communication protocol technologies:

Solutions, methods, and applications.Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.