ZyXEL XGS-4528F User Guide - Page 29

Chapter 1 Getting to Know Your Switch 1.1.3 Gigabit Ethernet to the Desktop The Switch is an ideal solution for small networks which demand high bandwidth for a group of heavy traffic users. You can connect computers and servers directly to the Switch's port or connect other switches to the Switch. Use the optional 10 Gigabit uplink module to provide high speed access to a data server and the Internet. The uplink module supports a fiber-optic connection which alleviates the distance limitations of copper cabling. In this example, all computers can share high-speed applications on the server and access the Internet. To expand the network, simply add more networking devices such as switches, routers, computers, print servers and so on. Figure 3 Gigabit to the Desktop Internet 1.1.4 IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Application Example A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) allows a physical network to be partitioned into multiple logical networks. Stations on a logical network belong to one or more groups. With VLAN, a station cannot directly talk to or hear from stations that are not in the same group(s) unless such traffic first goes through a router. For more information on VLANs, refer to Chapter 9 on page 117. 1.1.4.1 Tag-based VLAN Example Ports in the same VLAN group share the same frame broadcast domain, thus increasing network performance by reducing broadcast traffic. VLAN groups can be modified at any time by adding, moving or changing ports without any recabling. XGS-4526/4528F/4728F User's Guide 29