For the purpose of compatible interconnection of information technology equipment using the IEEE 802
MAC Service supported by interconnected IEEE 802 standard LANs using different or identical media
access control methods, this standard specifies the operation of MAC Bridges that support Virtual LANs
(VLANs). To this end it
a) Positions the support of VLANs within an architectural description of the MAC Sublayer;
b) Defines the principles of operation of the VLAN-aware Bridge in terms of the support and
preservation of the MAC Service, and the maintenance of Quality of Service;
c) Specifies an Enhanced Internal Sublayer Service provided to the Media Access Independent
functions that provide frame relay in a VLAN-aware Bridge;
d) Establishes the principles and a model of Virtual Bridged Local Area Network operation;
e) Identifies the functions to be performed by VLAN-aware Bridges, and provides an architectural
model of the operation of a Bridge in terms of Processes and Entities that provide those functions;
f) Specifies a frame format that allows a VLAN Identifier (VID) and priority information to be carried
by VLAN tagged user data frames;
g) Specifies the rules that govern the addition or removal of VLAN tags to and from user data frames;
h) Specifies the rules that govern the ability to carry user data in either Canonical format or Noncanonical
format in VLAN-tagged frames;
i) Establishes the requirements for automatic configuration of VLAN topology;
j) Establishes the requirements for VLAN-aware Bridge Management in a Virtual Bridged Local Area
Network, identifying managed objects and defining management operations;
k) Defines the operation of the Multiple Spanning Tree algorithm and protocol (MSTP);
l) Describes the protocols and procedures necessary to support interoperation between MST and SST
Bridges in the same Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks;
m) Specifies the requirements to be satisfied by equipment claiming conformance to this standard.
IEEE 802.1Q-2005 history
1970IEEE 802.1Q-2022 IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks--Bridges and Bridged Networks
2018IEEE 802.1Q-2018 Local and metropolitan area networks-Bridges and Bridged Networks (IEEE Computer Society; Includes Access to Additional Content)
2015IEEE 802.1Q/COR 1-2015 Local and metropolitan area networks-Bridges and Bridged Networks-Corrigendum 1: Technical and editorial corrections (IEEE Computer Society)
2014IEEE 802.1Q/D2.2-2014 Local and metropolitan area networks-Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges and Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks (IEEE Computer Society; Includes Access to Additional Content)
2012IEEE 802.1Q/COR 2-2012 IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks.Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges and Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks.Corrigendum 2: Technical and editorial corrections
2012IEEE 802.1Q-2012 IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks - Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges and Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks
2011IEEE 802.1Q-2011 Local and metropolitan area networks - Media Access Control (MAC) bridges and virtual bridge local area networks
2008IEEE 802.1Q/INT 1-2008 IEEE Standards Interpretations for IEEE Std 802.1Q ?-2005 IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks— Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks
2005IEEE 802.1Q-2005 Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks (IEEE Computer Society Document)
2003IEEE 802.1Q-2003 Local and metropolitan area networks - Virtual bridged local area networks
2002IEEE 802.1Q/INT 1-2002 IEEE Standards Interpretation for IEEE Std 802.1D-1999, IEEE Std 802.1Q-1998 and IEEE Std 802.3?, 2000 Edition
1998IEEE 802.1Q-1998 Local and metropolitan area networks - Virtual bridged local area networks