Understanding VLAN Ranges
The following figure shows VLANs as logical networks. In this diagram, the stations in the engineering
department are assigned to one VLAN, the stations in the marketing department are assigned to another VLAN,
and the stations in the accounting department are assigned to yet another VLAN.
Figure 2: VLANs as Logically Defined Networks
VLANs are usually associated with IP subnetworks. For example, all the end stations in a particular IP subnet
belong to the same VLAN. To communicate between VLANs, you must route the traffic.
By default, a newly created VLAN is operational. To disable the VLAN use the shutdown command.
Additionally, you can configure VLANs to be in the active state (passing traffic), or the suspended state (in
which the VLANs are not passing packets). By default, the VLANs are in the active state and pass traffic.
Note
The VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) mode is OFF. VTP BPDUs are dropped on all interfaces of the
switch. This process has the effect of partitioning VTP domains if other switches have VTP turned on.
A VLAN can also be configured as a switched virtual interface (SVI). In this case, the switch ports in the
VLAN are represented by a virtual interface to a routing or bridging system. The SVI can be configured for
routing, in which case it supports Layer 3 protocols for processing packets from all switch ports associated
with the VLAN, or for in-band management of the switch.
Understanding VLAN Ranges
The Cisco Nexus device supports VLAN numbers 1 to 4094 in accordance with the IEEE 802.1Q standard.
These VLANs are organized into ranges. The switch is physically limited in the number of VLANs it can
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS Layer 2 Switching Configuration Guide, Release 5.1(3)N1(1)
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Configuring VLANs
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