A Virtual LAN is a network that acts as though it were connected to the same wire even if individual components are actually connected at different LAN segments. VLANs are software configured making it possible to move a component in the LAN without adjusting the hardware accordingly.
A logical vs. a physical (wired) LAN made up of workgroups and individuals brought together for a particular project with most member's location being apart from the others.
a collection of network nodes that are the same broadcast domain regardless of their physical location or connection point in the network
a group of location- and topology-independent devices that communicate as if they were on the same physical local area network (LAN)
a LAN where the grouping of computers are based on logical connections, for example by type of users, by department etc
a local area network with a definition that maps workstations on some other basis than geographic location (for example, by department, type of user, or primary application)
a logical subgroup within a LAN whose purpose is to isolate traffic within the subgroup
a logical wire that can span multiple physical locations
Workstations connected to an intelligent device which provides capabilities to define LAN membership.
A network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire even though they may actually be physically located on different segments of a LAN. VLANs are configured through software rather than hardware, which makes them extremely flexible. One of the biggest advantages of VLANs is that when a computer is physically moved to another location, it can stay on the same VLAN without any hardware reconfiguration.
A logical rather than a physical LAN comprising workgroups drawn together for business reasons or for a particular project irrespective of each member's actual location. Members are likely to belong to several such LANs as their job function dictates. Such LANs await the maturity of high-speed transmission technologies such as ATM before they can exist in any viable form.
This is created when a bunch of physically connected ports are grouped together by network hardware that supports VLANs. These VLANs are each treated as completely separate entities, and can only be joined together by a router. This scheme is useful for grouping departments together for security and minimizing network traffic.
A group of devices on one or more LANs configured (using management software) to communicate as if they were attached to the same wire, when in fact, they are located on a number of different LAN segments. Because VLANs are based on logical instead of physical connections, they are extremely flexible.
Membership to a Virtual LAN is defined administratively independent of the physical network topology. A virtual LAN segment is a unique broadcast domain.
n. Short for virtual local area network. A local area network consisting of groups of hosts that are on physically different segments but that communicate as though they were on the same wire. See also LAN.
A virtual LAN, commonly known as a vLAN or as a VLAN, is a method of creating independent logical networks within a physical network. Several VLANs can co-exist within such a network. This helps in reducing the broadcast domain and administratively separating logical segments of LAN (like company departments) which should not exchange data using LAN (they still can by routing).
