Hi-
I am working on a class project on setting up a VLAN. I am having problems finding information about why to use a VLAN. It seems all I have been able to fnd has been definitions. Also, if there is a site where there may be some diagrams for use.
Thanx

This short article "Use VLAN trunking and gigabit Ethernet for smarter multihoming" provides some information about use applictions of VLAN.

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Another excellent source of information is "CISCO Systems".
This page will start you off to more information on VLAN use with CISCO Systems in particular.

"Managing Physical and Logical Network Services with Topology Services"

Hope this was what you were looking to find.

regards,
Koan

The "why" about VLAN is typically that you have a finite block of IP addresses with which to work. VLANs allow the engineer/admin to be very creative in terms of subnetting. Another aspect is when it is important to subnet users within a LAN based on roles or departments but not hinder their ability to work at different physical locations. Hope that gets you on the right track about VLANs.

edit: Oh, one other excellent reason for VLANs... they are configured on switches and somewhat negate the reason to purchase a router while providing much of the functionality.