User's Manual

NETNode
Phase 1 and 2 Units
NETNode
User Manual
NETNode-V2.3
7-78
DS000034 Unclassified
7. VLAN Support (v2.4)
A virtual LAN, commonly known as a VLAN, allows a number of networks to share the
same physical resource such as the mesh network or more typically shared IP bandwidth
over a satellite link. The use of VLAN makes it possible to have completely separate networks
running over a common NetNode mesh system without sharing data between the networks.
VLANs are created to provide the segmentation services traditionally provided by routers in
LAN configurations. VLANs address issues such as scalability, security, and network
management. Routers in VLAN topologies provide broadcast filtering, security, address
summarization, and traffic flow management. By definition, switches may not bridge IP
traffic between VLANs as it would violate the integrity of the VLAN broadcast domain.
7.1. Configuring VLAN
By default the standard mesh network does not allow passage of VLAN packets. In order to
allow VLAN packets through the system each NetNode must be programmed with the VLAN
tag, subnet mask and a valid IP address for each VLAN. The setting of the IP address and
subnet mask allows additional filtering of the IP packets as they enter the NetNode. It also
allows the generation of ARP and ICMP reply packets which aids internal routing and testing
of the VLAN network.
The NetNode mesh network supports up to 8 separate VLANS. Each VLAN is maintained by a
separate routing table within each NetNode.
In the example above the NetNode is set up to support a VOIP (Voice Over IP) system
operating using a VLAN through the mesh system. If the user does not want the node to
respond to its own VLAN IP address the IP Address should be set to 10.240.1.255. The
combination of IP Address „Or-ed‟ with the Sub net mask must be 255.255.255.255 to ensure
that the Netnode itself will not respond to Ping requests on the network
7.2. Setting VLAN tagging and stripping on External
ports
The netnode allows VLAN tagging and stripping on the two external Ethernet ports. In the
example below Port 1 is acting as a normal Ethernet port allowing a user to web browse as