Chapter 2 Network Configuration Designing VLAN tagging “Normal LAN switeh LAN witch. (7) VLAN tagging Conventional systems require LAN switches to be connected with cables for cach virtual LAN when virtual LANs are to be constructed over two or more LAN switches. In such systems, it is necessary to prepare LAN switches or router connecting ports for each virtual LAN. ‘VLAN tagging is a technique of letting packets that belong to different virtual LAN to run over a single cable by placing the information for identifying the virtual LAN in each frame as a tag. This allows even a system having two or more virtual LANs to connect between LAN awitches or between LAN switches and routers with a single cable. . Although the specifications for tagging are standardized by TEEE802.10, there are some vendors who employ their own specifications and therefore you need to pay adequate care with crossconnectivity when constructing virtual LANs. Tag (contains VLAN information) wc [moe [| 222 All Rights Reserved, Copycigt (6) 2003, ttc Information ‘Academy Co, LtdChapter 2 Network Configuration Designing Layer 3 switch © Case of a layer 2 switch © Case of a layer 3 switch 2.2.4 Layer 3 Switch (1) Basic functions ‘The layer 3 switch functions to control the routing between virtual LANs in addition to providing the functions of a layer 2 switch. A layer 3 switch incorporates the functions of a router and keeps a routing table like an ordinary router. It accomplishes high-speed relay services by implementing this routing function by hardware. The layer 2 switch relays communication between networks using an external router. Since the layer 3 switch, on the other hand, has an internal router, it can. enable communication by being configured so as to relay packets between virtual LANs. 2-23 All Righls Reserved, Copyright (6) 2003, Hitachi faformation ‘Aesdemy Co, FadChapter 2 Network Configuration Designing ‘Collision domain and broadcast domain Router, L3 switch ae - ate cea Colision domatn : BBE Broadcast domain : Virtual LAN : [i] * Collision domain and broadcast domain A collision domain refers to the network area within which collisions are detected by CSMA/CD. A broadcast domain refers to the network area in which broadcast packets can travel at the network layer. Given above is a figure that shows an example of collision and broadcast domains in a system that contains HUBs (repeaters), a bridge, a router and LAN switches, 2.24 ‘All Rights Reser, Coryight (c) 2003, taht Information ‘heademy Co LidChapter 2 Network Configuration Designing ‘Key poinis of equipment configuration oS oo _ Osta nto switches }HOBASE-| Router Naseem (SS pas essen —— OQBASET = "aon | 100BASE-TX / L2 switches L2 switches: E-TX rF . soonsee | s / | 108ASET ue || Hue | HuB te a )=Ba_] 2.3 Key Points of Equipment Configuration (1) L2 switch @ Performs speed conversions among 10, 100, and-1,000 Mbps. @kmproves transmission efficiency because the collision domain is divided. @Connects to the server at a speed as high as 100 Mbps. @Communicates with the HUBs in the half-duplex mode, (2) L3 switch @Connects to and gives routing control to a number of L2 switches. @Allows arbitrary ports to be grouped together to form a network by adopting the VLAN function, in this case, it is essential to handle one VLAN as a single IP network. (3) Router @Since L3 switches generally support only Ethernet ports, a route is used to connect to a leased line, The router allows the broadcast domain to be divided and provides detailed filtering control. . @The router and L3 switch exchange the routing information using a dynamic routing technique (e.g., RIP). For an outside network, a static route is set up so that unnecessary traffic occurs on the leased line. 2-25 AILRights Reserves, Copyright (¢) 2003, Hitachi lniormation ‘Acadenny Co, LadChapter 2 Network Configuration Designing ‘Key points of equipment configuration 2 Tagged “VisNa” 12 switch 18 switch Le switch + VLAN tagging configuration (1) L2 switch @ The user can construct subnets without being aware of their physical configuration by setting up a VLAN for each port. @ Itis possible to have packets from two or more subnet coexist ona single Jink by using the VLAN tagging technique to connect to other switches. ® Note that the tagging method varies if LAN switches of different types are used. (2) L3 switch The L3 switch performs routing control over VLANs (VLAN1, VLAN2, VEANS, and VLAN4). All Rights Reserved, Copyright (¢) 2003, Hiiachi Infowoation ‘Academy Co, LidChapter 2 Network Configuration Designing 2.4 Hints on Equipment Selection (1) Generat + Internal processing speed (backplane capacity) The internal processing speed of a router or switch is generally expressed in "pps (packets per seconds)." A device that has the capacity to process more packets than the total input packet capacity from the interface with minimum internal delay is called a wire-speed device, = Management interfaces (console, Web, original management software) + Support of SNMP and RMON: if the device provides support for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), it can report the network management information to the SNMP sanager so as to enable configuration management and error management, If RMON (Remote Monitoring) is supported, the device can report the traffic information to the manager. + Number of ports Select the device while considering the number of ports required. When calculating the number of ports, consider the possibility that the device is likely to be connected not only to the client and server but also to the other routers, LAN switches, or HUBs. (2) HUB + Interface types HUBs generally support only 1OBASE-T (L00BASE-TX). When a HUB is to be connected to a 1OBASES device, it is necessary to check for the presence or absence of an AUI (the port for accepting the transceiver cable). + Single speed and haif-duplex communication -HUBs cannot convert the transmission speed as they have no buffer. * Single broadcast/collision domain Take care with possible increase in traffic since no HUB can split the broadcast domain or collision domain. * Limitations to cascade connection Take care with the limitations imposed on the cascaded connection of HUBs. These limitations can be lifted by the use of LAN switches and routers. (3) L2 switch « Interface type The L2 switch automatically recognizes a LAN with the 1BASE-T or 1OOBASE-TX protocol. When connecting to a LAN with another protocol, add a compatible interface mode to the 12 switch. * Speed conversion ‘Most L2 switches can convert the transmission speed as they adopt the store and forward system. LAN switches can perform full duplex communication. * Uplink (cascade) port Since traffic concentrates on the port to which an L3 switch is connected, it is necessary to use 100 Mbps full duptex or gigabit Ethernet switches. * Division of collision and broadcast domains ‘Networks adopting switches enjoy high transmission efficiency because no collision occurs on such networks. 2-27 ‘All Righte Roserved, Copyright (6) 2003, Hitachi Information Academy Co,, Lad