VIRTUAL LOCAL AREA NETWORKS HAVING RULES OF PRECEDENCE

摘要

A switch for use in a communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches so as to be configurable into different types of virtual local area networks inclules first and second communication ports. The first communication port is connected directly to a local area network and the second communication port interconnects with other system switches. A switch control detects a communication from the local area network and identifies a virtual local area network over which the communication is to be transmitted based upon rules of precedence for different types of virtual local area networks. The communication is appended with a VLAN tag representing the identified virtual local area network so as to form a VLAN communication that is directed to the second communication port for transmission over the identified virtual local area network.