Solution Sheet

HOW TO: VLAN

USING VLAN TO ACCESS CONTENT
ON YOUR LENOVO NETWORK
STORAGE DEVICE

SITUATION:

Id like to join several users into one broadcast domain so that I can keep
my departments separate from one another on the network. I also want to
connect these users with the flexibility of moving them and not having to
reconfigure each time a machine is moved. Can I do that with my Lenovo
network storage device so that they can access files and share them
amongst each other?

VLAN ALLOWS YOU TO JOIN MULTIPLE DEVICES

You can join multiple devices that are not physically connected using a
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) setup right from your Lenovo network
storage device. Its an easy setup that can let you join up to four separate
VLAN IDs under one broadcast domain. Additionally, VLANs are configured
automatically, reducing setup costs each time a machine moves from its
physical location.

ENABLING VLAN ON YOUR NETWORK STORAGE DEVICE

Enabling VLAN on your Lenovo network storage device is easy and only
requires adding the VLAN connection to an unbonded NIC and giving the
VLAN an ID value. Bonded NICs are not supported in VLANs, and they must
be unbonded before you configure it for a VLAN. From there, you can create
the appropriate subnets for your needs.
Once you have your VLAN set up, you can connect your workstations to
the network with the flexibility of moving these computers to new locations
without reconfiguring IP addresses each time. Additionally, users are
now able to share resources within their own locations through virtual
workgroups, establishing a layer of security within the broadcast domain.
VLAN is enabled from the Network page on your Lenovo network storage
device. With a few clicks, you can connect up to four VLANs per NIC on
your Lenovo network storage device.

VLAN is configured for each network interface card (NIC), however, since
bonded NICs are not supported, you must unbond the NIC before you
configure it for the VLAN.

WHY USE A VLAN?

VLANs provide solutions for port grouping, MAC-layer grouping, networklayer grouping, and IP multicast grouping. Additionally, VLANs are useful
for creating smaller networks within a larger LAN; for example, a legal
department in a company might be on its own VLAN because it has sensitive
documents to which only certain personnel should have access. The
smaller networks that VLANs create do not require any additional physical
resources, such as additional cabling. Your Lenovo network storage device
can be configured to support four (4) VLAN IDs per network interface card
(NIC).
In cases where sensitive data may be on the network, placing only those
users who can have access to that data on a VLAN reduces the chances of
external intrusion gaining access to the data. VLANs can also be used to
control broadcast domains, set up firewalls, restrict access, and inform the
network manager of an intrusion.
VLANs are an added and valuable benefit to network administrators as they
reduce the cost of dealing with moves and changes in the network.

Figure 1 VLAN Settings

The Lenovo family of network storage solutions blends award-winning
EMC storage and security technologies with easy-to-use configuration and
management tools purpose built for small businesses and remote offices.
Learn more about Lenovo network storage solutions at:
www.lenovoemc.com

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