What Is a VLAN?
A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) logically divides a single physical network into separate, isolated broadcast domains — so devices can be grouped by function instead of by physical location.
Segmentation Without New Cabling
Isolation
Separate management, production, and storage traffic on the same switches.
Performance
Contain broadcast traffic so it does not flood the whole network.
Flexibility
Group devices logically with 802.1Q tags, regardless of where they sit.
Tags, Trunks, and Access Ports
Each VLAN is identified by a VLAN ID carried in an 802.1Q tag. Access ports connect end devices to a single VLAN; trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches. In the data center, out-of-band management interfaces are usually placed on a dedicated management VLAN, isolated from production traffic.
See VLAN topology and the devices behind it
Sensaka maps network topology alongside the physical hardware, so you can trace a business service from VLAN to switch port to server.