What is a trunk port in a VLAN configuration?

A trunk port in a VLAN configuration is defined as a port that carries traffic for multiple VLANs. This functionality is essential in networking because it allows efficient utilization of network resources.

When a switch port is configured as a trunk, it can handle traffic from different VLANs by tagging each frame with a VLAN identifier. This tagging process enables the switches to keep track of which frame belongs to which VLAN, ensuring that the data packets reach the intended destinations across the network.

In environments where multiple VLANs are deployed, such as in scalable and segmented networks, trunk ports play a critical role. They simplify the management of the traffic between switches and help prevent unnecessary duplication of connections that would otherwise be required if each VLAN were to use separate physical connections. This capability is particularly beneficial in larger networks, where reducing physical cabling can lead to significant cost and space savings.