Specifications

ExtremeWare XOS 10.1 Concepts Guide 17
1 ExtremeWare XOS Overview
ExtremeWare XOS is the full-featured software operating system that is designed to run on the Extreme
Networks BlackDiamond 10800 family of switches.
NOTE
ExtremeWare XOS 10.1 only supports Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 10800 family products. This
does not includes other BlackDiamond families, Alpine, and Summit “i”, Summit 24e3, and Summit 200
series platforms.
Virtual LANs (VLANs)
ExtremeWare XOS has a VLAN feature that enables you to construct your broadcast domains without
being restricted by physical connections. A VLAN is a group of location- and topology-independent
devices that communicate as if they were on the same physical local area network (LAN).
Implementing VLANs on your network has the following three advantages:
• VLANs help to control broadcast traffic. If a device in VLAN Marketing transmits a broadcast frame,
only VLAN Marketing devices receive the frame.
• VLANs provide extra security. Devices in VLAN Marketing can only communicate with devices on
VLAN Sales using routing services.
• VLANs ease the change and movement of devices on networks.
NOTE
For more information on VLANs, see Chapter 5.
Spanning Tree Protocol
The switch supports the IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which is a bridge-based mechanism
for providing fault tolerance on networks. STP enables you to implement parallel paths for network
traffic, and ensure that:
• Redundant paths are disabled when the main paths are operational.
• Redundant paths are enabled if the main traffic paths fail.
A single spanning tree can span multiple VLANs.