A virtual LAN (VLAN) is used to partition the switch into two or more logical switches to allow for grouping of end devices into logical groups. Such groups typically consist of devices or users running the same applications. VLANs can also span across several switches to allow ports from these switches to be joined to the same logical network group. Creating one or more VLANs keeps broadcast traffic contained within each logical group of devices.
The commands below create VLANs 10, 20, and 30 on both switches. SmartFabric OS10 supports VLANS 1 through 4093 (VLAN 4094 is reserved for VLT). VLANs supported on other switches and operating systems may vary.
Configure VLANs on the Dell switch | Configure VLANs on the Cisco Nexus |
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Once a VLAN is created, ports may be assigned to it. End devices connected to these ports can communicate with each other over this common VLAN.
Use the following commands to add ports 21 through 24 on each switch to VLAN 10. Use the same command structure to add other ports to other VLANs as needed.
Assign access ports to a VLAN on the Dell EMC switch | Assign access ports to the VLAN on the Cisco Nexus switch |
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To allow devices on a VLAN on one switch to communicate with devices on the same VLAN on another switch, a trunk port, like the one created in the Port channels section, has to be created between the two switches. The trunk port passes VLAN traffic from one switch to the next, and across the entire network. For example, traffic from end devices on VLAN 10 on one switch can be passed across a port channel trunk to communicate with devices on VLAN 10 on another switch.
For more control over where traffic goes on the network, a trunk may be restricted to only pass traffic of certain VLANs. Use the following commands to create a port channel trunk to only pass VLAN 10 and 20 traffic between two switches.
Exchange VLAN traffic with neighbor switch | Exchange VLAN traffic with neighbor switch |
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You can use the show vlan command on each switch to confirm the trunked port channel and the access ports assigned to each VLAN. Run the show port-channel summary command to show the member ports of each port channel and the port channel status.