Finding efficient VLAN topology for better broadcast containment

Ever since its inception VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) technology remains a viable tool for logical segmentation and broadcast containment in switched or bridged networks. For better broadcast containment, Network administrators put those devices together in same VLAN which are expected to exchange more traffic together. Decisions which are not based on traffic statistics may result in inefficient VLAN structure that results in worse network performance. In this research work, the proposed method uses a simple algorithmic approach for creating an efficient VLAN structure for the network. It finds VLAN membership for each node by analyzing current traffic flows of the network. The result is an efficient VLAN topology that could do better broadcast containment hence enhancing overall network performance. The simulation results shows that the proposed approach outperform other heuristics for the same problem.