A protocol-based VLAN processes traffic based on protocol. You can use a protocol-based VLAN to define filtering criteria for untagged packets. If you do not change the port configuration or configure a protocol-based VLAN, the smart switch assigns untagged packets to VLAN 1. You can override this default behavior by defining port-based VLANs, protocol-based VLANs, or both. The smart switch always processes tagged packets according to the 802.1q standard and does not forward them to protocol-based VLANs.
If you assign a port to a protocol-based VLAN for a specific protocol, the smart switch assigns the protocol-based VLAN ID to untagged frames that it receives on the port for that protocol. For other protocols, the smart switch assigns the port VLAN ID to untagged frames that it receives on the port, either the default PVID1 or a PVID that you assigned to the port.
You define a protocol based VLAN by creating a group. Each group has a one-to-one relationship with a VLAN ID, can include one to three protocol definitions, and can include multiple ports. When you create a group, you must specify a name. The smart switch assigns a group ID automatically.
For information about how to configure a protocol based VLAN by using the web management interface, see How do I create a protocol-based VLAN using the web interface on my managed switch?