Chapter 5: Virtualizing Networks with VLANs and VTP
In This Chapter
Understanding VLANs
Configuring VLANs
Easing management of VLANs with VTP
Once upon a time not so very long ago (cue: sparkly sounds of a fantasy, animated movie opening sequence), in order to separate users into individual network segments for security or other reasons, you had to provide them with their own network switch. If these users were in separate areas of your office, going to separate wiring closets, you also had to give them a separate cable for uplink or backhauling between wiring closets. This process created a ton of extra work and quickly became annoying.
Enter virtual LANs (VLANs): a solution to fix these ills. In this chapter, I show you how to set up VLANs, as well as how to automate the process of propagating VLAN information among your switches, which can quickly turn into work. I then show you how to implement trunk links among the switches, which is the easiest way to interconnect switches supporting the configured VLANs. Finally, I discuss VLAN configuration and implementing VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) to make VLAN management easier. Although you can manage VLAN deployment without VTP, ...
