Virtual LAN's (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices or users that are not restricted to a physical switch segment. The devices or users in a VLAN can be grouped into virtual workgroups by function, department, application, and so on, regardless of their physical segment location, so that they can communicate as if they were attached to the same wire, when in fact they are located on a number of different LAN segments.

In a LAN that utilizes Ethernet switching devices will physically segments a LAN into individual collision domains. A VLAN creates a single broadcast domain that is not restricted to a physical segment and is treated like a subnet. VLANs are not standardized and configuration is done at the switch via proprietary software from the switch vendor.

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