Docs/network segments tutorial docs conversion (#15829)

* added a NS folder and refactored main page into the overview page

* added NS usage page to NS folder

* updated links to NS docs

* updated nav

* addressed feedback from review
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@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ information.
the name of the network segment the agent belongs to. An agent can only join and
communicate with other agents within its network segment. Ensure the [join
operation uses the correct port for this segment](/docs/enterprise/network-segments#join_a_client_to_a_segment).
Review the [Network Segments documentation](/docs/enterprise/network-segments)
Review the [Network Segments documentation](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments/create-network-segment)
for more details. By default, this is an empty string, which is the `<default>`
network segment.
@ -321,13 +321,9 @@ information.
This can be dynamically defined with a [go-sockaddr] template that is resolved at runtime.
If Consul is running on the non-default Serf LAN port, the port must
be specified in the join address, or configured as the agent's default Serf port
using the [`ports.serf_lan`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port) configuration option or
[`-serf-lan-port`](#_serf_lan_port) command line flag.
If Consul is running on a non-default Serf LAN port, you must specify the port number in the address when using the `-retry-join` flag. Alternatively, you can specify the custom port number as the default in the agent's [`ports.serf_lan`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port) configuration or with the [`-serf-lan-port`](#_serf_lan_port) command line flag when starting the agent.
If using network segments (Enterprise), see [additional documentation on
joining a client to a segment](/docs/enterprise/network-segments#join_a_client_to_a_segment).
If your network contains network segments, refer to the [network segements documentation](/docs/enterprise/network-segments/create-network-segment) for additional information.
Here are some examples of using `-retry-join`:

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@ -708,7 +708,7 @@ Valid time units are 'ns', 'us' (or 'µs'), 'ms', 's', 'm', 'h'."
- `segments` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - (Server agents only) This is a list of nested objects
that specifies user-defined network segments, not including the `<default>` segment, which is
created automatically. Review the [Network Segments documentation](/docs/enterprise/network-segments)
created automatically. Refer to the [network segments documentation](/docs/enterprise/network-segments/create-network-segment)for additional information.
for more details.
- `name` ((#segment_name)) - The name of the segment. Must be a string

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@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ The following features are [available in several forms of Consul Enterprise](#co
### Complex Network Topology Support
- [Network Areas](/docs/enterprise/federation): Support complex network topologies between federated Consul datacenters with pairwise federation rather than full mesh federation
- [Network Segments](/docs/enterprise/network-segments): Support complex network topologies within a Consul datacenter by enforcing boundaries in Consul client gossip traffic
- [Network Segments](/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview): Support complex network topologies within a Consul datacenter by enforcing boundaries in Consul client gossip traffic
### Governance
- [OIDC Auth Method](/docs/security/acl/auth-methods/oidc): Manage user access to Consul through an OIDC identity provider instead of Consul ACL tokens directly
@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ Available Enterprise features per Consul form and license include:
| [Enhanced Read Scalability](/docs/enterprise/read-scale) | No | Yes | With Global Visibility, Routing, and Scale module |
| [Namespaces](/docs/enterprise/namespaces) | All tiers | Yes | With Governance and Policy module |
| [Network Areas](/docs/enterprise/federation) | No | Yes | With Global Visibility, Routing, and Scale module |
| [Network Segments](/docs/enterprise/network-segments) | No | Yes | With Global Visibility, Routing, and Scale module |
| [Network Segments](/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview) | No | Yes | With Global Visibility, Routing, and Scale module |
| [OIDC Auth Method](/docs/security/acl/auth-methods/oidc) | No | Yes | Yes |
| [Redundancy Zones](/docs/enterprise/redundancy) | Not applicable | Yes | With Global Visibility, Routing, and Scale module |
| [Sentinel for KV](/docs/enterprise/sentinel) | All tiers | Yes | With Governance and Policy module |
@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Consul Enterprise feature availability can change depending on your server and c
| [Enhanced Read Scalability](/consul/docs/enterprise/read-scale) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Namespaces](/consul/docs/enterprise/namespaces) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Network Areas](/consul/docs/enterprise/federation) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments) | &#9989; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview) | &#9989; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [OIDC Auth Method](/consul/docs/security/acl/auth-methods/oidc) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Redundancy Zones](/consul/docs/enterprise/redundancy) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Sentinel ](/consul/docs/enterprise/sentinel) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ Consul Enterprise feature availability can change depending on your server and c
| [Enhanced Read Scalability](/consul/docs/enterprise/read-scale) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Namespaces](/consul/docs/enterprise/namespaces) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#10060; |
| [Network Areas](/consul/docs/enterprise/federation) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#10060; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [OIDC Auth Method](/consul/docs/security/acl/auth-methods/oidc) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#10060; |
| [Redundancy Zones](/consul/docs/enterprise/redundancy) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Sentinel ](/consul/docs/enterprise/sentinel) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#10060; |
@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ Consul Enterprise feature availability can change depending on your server and c
| [Enhanced Read Scalability](/consul/docs/enterprise/read-scale) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Namespaces](/consul/docs/enterprise/namespaces) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |
| [Network Areas](/consul/docs/enterprise/federation) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Network Segments](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [OIDC Auth Method](/consul/docs/security/acl/auth-methods/oidc) | &#10060; | &#10060; | &#10060; |
| [Redundancy Zones](/consul/docs/enterprise/redundancy) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| [Sentinel ](/consul/docs/enterprise/sentinel) | &#9989; | &#9989; | &#9989; |

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@ -1,235 +0,0 @@
---
layout: docs
page_title: Network Segments (Enterprise)
description: >-
Network segments enable LAN gossip in a datacenter when network rules or firewalls prevent specific sets of clients from communicating directly. Learn about configuring server and client agents to operate in segmented networks.
---
# Network Segments
<EnterpriseAlert>
This feature requires version 0.9.3+ of
self-managed Consul Enterprise.
Refer to the [enterprise feature matrix](/docs/enterprise#consul-enterprise-feature-availability) for additional information.
</EnterpriseAlert>
Consul requires full connectivity between all agents (servers and clients) in a
[datacenter](/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_datacenter) within a given
LAN gossip pool. By default, all Consul agents will be a part of one shared Serf LAN
gossip pool known as the `<default>` network segment, thus requiring full mesh
connectivity within the datacenter.
![Consul datacenter default agent connectivity: one network segment](/img/network-segments/consul-network-segments-single.png)
In some environments, full connectivity between all agents is not possible—known as a
"segmented network". This is usually the result of business policies enforced through
network rules or firewalls. To use Consul in a segmented network, you must break up
the LAN gossip pool along network communication boundaries into separate "network
segments". Network segments are isolated LAN gossip pools that only require full
connectivity between agent members on the same segment.
![Consul datacenter agent connectivity with network segments](/img/network-segments/consul-network-segments-multiple.png)
Complete the [Network Segments](https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/consul/network-partition-datacenters) tutorial to learn more about network segments.
-> **Info:** Network segments enable you to operate a Consul datacenter without full
mesh (LAN) connectivity between agents. To federate multiple Consul datacenters
without full mesh (WAN) connectivity between all server agents in all datacenters,
use [Network Areas (Enterprise)](/docs/enterprise/federation).
# Consul Networking Models
To help set context for this feature, it is useful to understand the various
Consul networking models and their capabilities.
**Cluster:** A set of Consul servers forming a Raft quorum along with a
collection of Consul clients, all set to the same
[datacenter](/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_datacenter), and joined together to form
what we will call a "local cluster". Consul clients discover the Consul servers
in their local cluster through the gossip mechanism and make RPC requests to
them. LAN Gossip (OSS) is an open intra-cluster networking model, and Network
Segments (Enterprise) creates multiple segments within one cluster.
**Federated Cluster:** A set of connected clusters, each representing a unique Consul “datacenter”. These Consul servers are federated together
over the WAN. Consul clients make use of resources in federated clusters by
forwarding RPCs through the Consul servers in their local cluster, but they
never interact with remote Consul servers directly. There are two tutorials that
will guide you through inter-cluster network models:
1. [WAN gossip (OSS)](https://learn.hashicorp.com/consul/security-networking/datacenters)
1. [Network Areas (Enterprise)](https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/consul/federation-network-areas).
**LAN Gossip Pool**: A set of Consul agents that have full mesh connectivity
among themselves, and use Serf to maintain a shared view of the members of the
pool for different purposes, like finding a Consul server in a local cluster,
or finding servers in a remote cluster. A **segmented** LAN Gossip Pool limits a
group of agents to only connect with the agents in its segment.
# Network Segments Configuration
## Server Configuration
Server agents are members of all segments. The datacenter includes a `<default>`
segment, as well as additional segments defined in the
[`segments`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#segments) server agent configuration option.
Each additional segment is defined by:
- a non-empty name
- a unique port
- optionally, a custom bind and advertise address for the additional segment's
Serf LAN listener on the server
~> **Note:** Prior to Consul 1.7.3, a Consul server agent configured with too
many network segments may not be able to start due to [limitations](https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/consul/network-partition-datacenters#network-segments-limitations)
in Serf.
### Example Server Configuration
The following server agent configuration will create two user-defined network
segments: `alpha` and `beta`.
<CodeTabs heading="Example network segments configuration for server agents">
```hcl
segments = [
{
name = "alpha"
bind = "{{GetPrivateIP}}"
advertise = "{{GetPrivateIP}}"
port = 8303
},
{
name = "beta"
bind = "{{GetPrivateIP}}"
advertise = "{{GetPrivateIP}}"
port = 8304
}
]
```
```json
{
"segments": [
{
"name": "alpha",
"bind": "{{GetPrivateIP}}",
"advertise": "{{GetPrivateIP}}",
"port": 8303
},
{
"name": "beta",
"bind": "{{GetPrivateIP}}",
"advertise": "{{GetPrivateIP}}",
"port": 8304
}
]
}
```
</CodeTabs>
The server [agent configuration](/docs/agent/config/config-files) options relevant to network
segments are:
- [`ports.serf_lan`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port): The Serf LAN port on this server
for the `<default>` network segment's gossip pool.
- [`segments`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#segments): A list of user-defined network segments
on this server, including their names and Serf LAN ports.
## Client Configuration
Each client agent can only be a member of one segment at a time. This will be the
`<default>` segment unless otherwise specified in the agent's
[`segment`](/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_segment) agent configuration option.
### Join a Client to a Segment ((#join_a_client_to_a_segment))
For a client agent to [join](/commands/join) the Consul
datacenter, it must connect to another agent (client or server) within its
configured segment.
<Tabs>
<Tab heading="Join via another client">
Clients A and B specify the same segment S. Client B is already joined to the segment S
LAN gossip pool. Client A wants to join via Client B. In order to do so, Client A
must connect to Client B's configured [Serf LAN port](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port).
</Tab>
<Tab heading="Join via a server">
Client A specifies segment S and wants to join the segment S gossip pool via Server 1.
In order to do so, Client A must connect to Server 1's configured [Serf LAN port
for segment S](/docs/agent/config/config-files#segment_port).
</Tab>
</Tabs>
There are several methods to specify the port used by the join operation, listed in order
of precedence:
1. **Specify an explicit port in the join address**. This can be done at the CLI when starting
the agent (e.g., `consul agent -retry-join "client-b-address:8303"`), or in the agent's
configuration using the [retry-join option](/docs/agent/config/config-files#retry_join). This method
is not compatible with [cloud auto-join](/docs/install/cloud-auto-join#auto-join-with-network-segments).
2. **Specify an alternate Serf LAN port for the agent**. This can be done at the CLI when starting
the agent (e.g., `consul agent -retry-join "client-b-address" -serf-lan-port 8303`), or in
the agent's configuration using the [serf_lan](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port) option.
When a Serf LAN port is not explicitly specified in the join address, the agent will attempt to
join the target host at the Serf LAN port specified in CLI or agent configuration.
3. **Use the default Serf LAN port (8301)**. The agent will attempt to join the target host
on port 8301.
-> Agents within a segment can use different port numbers for their Serf LAN port.
For example, on the `<default>` segment, Server S can use port 8301, Client A
can use 8303, and Client B can use 8304. However, if an agent wishes to join a
segment via an agent that uses a different port number, the target agent's Serf LAN
port must be specified in the join address (method 1 above).
### Example Client Configuration
The following client agent configuration will cause the agent to:
- Open a Serf LAN listener port on 8303.
- Attempt to join the cluster via servers on port 8303 (since an alternate port is not
specified in the `retry_join` addresses).
<CodeTabs heading="Example network segment configuration for client agents">
```hcl
node_name = "consul-client1"
retry_join = ["consul-server1", "consul-server2", "consul-server3"]
segment = "alpha"
ports = {
serf_lan = 8303
}
```
```json
{
"node_name": "consul-client1",
"retry_join": ["consul-server1", "consul-server2", "consul-server3"],
"segment": "alpha",
"ports": {
"serf_lan": 8303
}
}
```
</CodeTabs>
The client [agent configuration](/docs/agent/config/config-files) options relevant to network
segments are:
- [`segment`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#segment-2): The name of the network segment this
client agent belongs to.
- [`ports.serf_lan`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#serf_lan_port):
Serf LAN port for the above segment on this client. This is not required
to match the configured Serf LAN port for other agents on this segment.
- [`retry_join`](/docs/agent/config/config-files#retry_join): A list of agent addresses to join
when starting. Ensure the correct Serf LAN port for this segment is used when joining
the LAN gossip pool using one of the [available configuration methods](#join_a_client_to_a_segment).

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@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
---
layout: docs
page_title: Create Network Segments
description: >-
Learn how to create Consul network segments to enable services in the LAN gossip pool to communicate across communication boundaries.
---
# Create Network Segments
This topic describes how to create Consul network segments so that services can connect to other services in the LAN gossip pool that have been placed into separate communication boundaries. Refer to [Network Segments Overview](/consul/docs/enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview) for additional information.
## Requirements
- Consul Enterprise 0.9.3+
## Define segments in the server configuration
1. Add the `segments` block to your server configuration. Refer to the [`segments`](/consul/docs/agent/config/config-files#segments) documentation for details about how to define the configuration.
In the following example, an `alpha` segment is configured to listen for traffic on port `8303` and a `beta` segment is configured to listen to traffic on port `8304`:
<CodeTabs heading="Example network segments configuration for server agents">
```hcl
segments = [
{
name = "alpha"
bind = "10.0.0.1"
advertise = "10.0.0.1"
port = 8303
},
{
name = "beta"
bind = "10.0.0.1"
advertise = "10.0.0.1"
port = 8304
}
]
```
```json
{
"segments": [
{
"name": "alpha",
"bind": "10.0.0.1",
"advertise": "10.0.0.1",
"port": 8303
},
{
"name": "beta",
"bind": "10.0.0.1",
"advertise": "10.0.0.1",
"port": 8304
}
]
}
```
</CodeTabs>
1. Start the server using the `consul agent` command. Copy the address for each segment listener so that you can [direct clients to join the segment](#configure-clients-to-join-segments) when you start them:
```shell-session
$ consul agent -config-file server.hcl
[INFO] serf: EventMemberJoin: server1.dc1 10.20.10.11
[INFO] serf: EventMemberJoin: server1 10.20.10.11
[INFO] consul: Started listener for LAN segment "alpha" on 10.20.10.11:8303
[INFO] serf: EventMemberJoin: server1 10.20.10.11
[INFO] consul: Started listener for LAN segment "beta" on 10.20.10.11:8304
[INFO] serf: EventMemberJoin: server1 10.20.10.11
```
1. Verfiy that the server is a member of all segments:
```shell-session
$ consul members
Node Address Status Type Build Protocol DC Segment
server1 10.20.10.11:8301 alive server 1.14+ent 2 dc1 <all>
```
## Configure clients to join segments
Client agents can only be members of one segment at a time. You can direct clients to join a segment by specifying the address and name of the segment with the [`-join`](/consul/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_join) and [`-segment`](/consul/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_segment) command line flags when starting the agent.
```shell-session
$ consul agent -config-file client.hcl -join 10.20.10.11:8303 -segment alpha
```
Alternatively, you can add the [`retry_join`](/consul/docs/agent/config/config-files#retry_join) and [`segment`](/consul/docs/agent/config/config-files#segment-1) parameters to your client agent configuration file:
```hcl
node_name = "consul-client"
server = false
datacenter = "dc1"
data_dir = "consul/client-data"
log_level = "INFO"
retry_join = ["10.20.10.11:8303"]
segment = "alpha"
```
## Verify segments
You can use the CLI, API, or GUI to verify which segments your agents have joined.
<Tabs>
<Tab heading="CLI">
Run the `consul members` command to verify that the client agents are joined to the correct segments:
<CodeBlockConfig>
```shell-session
$ consul members
Node Address Status Type Build Protocol DC Partition Segment
server 192.168.4.159:8301 alive server 1.14+ent 2 dc1 default <all>
client1 192.168.4.159:8447 alive client 1.14+ent 2 dc1 default alpha
```
</CodeBlockConfig>
You can also pass the name of a segment in the `-segment` flag to view agents in a specific segment. Note that server agents display their LAN listener port for the specified segment the segment filter applied. In the following example, the command returns port `8303` for alpha, rather than for the `<default>` segment port:
<CodeBlockConfig>
```shell-session
$ consul members -segment alpha
Node Address Status Type Build Protocol DC Segment
server1 10.20.10.11:8301 alive server 1.14+ent 2 dc1 alpha
client1 10.20.10.21:8303 alive client 1.14+ent 2 dc1 alpha
```
</CodeBlockConfig>
Refer to the [`members`](/consul/commands/members) documentation for additional information.
</Tab>
<Tab heading="API">
Call the `/agent/members` API endpoint to view members that the agent sees in the cluster gossip pool.
<CodeBlockConfig highlight="21">
```shell-session
$ curl http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/agent/members?segment=alpha
{
"Addr" : "192.168.4.163",
"DelegateCur" : 4,
"DelegateMax" : 5,
"DelegateMin" : 2,
"Name" : "consul-client",
"Port" : 8447,
"ProtocolCur" : 2,
"ProtocolMax" : 5,
"ProtocolMin" : 1,
"Status" : 1,
"Tags" : {
"build" : "1.13.1+ent:5bd604e6",
"dc" : "dc1",
"ft_admpart" : "1",
"ft_ns" : "1",
"id" : "aeaf70d7-57f7-7eaf-e246-6edfe8386e9c",
"role" : "node",
"segment" : "alpha",
"vsn" : "2",
"vsn_max" : "3",
"vsn_min" : "2"
}
}
```
Refer to the [`/agent/members` API endpoint documentation](/consul/api-docs/agent#list-members) for additional information.
</CodeBlockConfig>
</Tab>
<Tab heading="UI">
If the UI is enabled in your agent configuration, the segment name appears in the nodes Metadata tab.
1. Open the URL for the UI. By default, the UI is `localhost:8500`.
1. Click **Node** in the sidebar and click on the name of the client agent you want to check.
1. Click the **Metadata** tab. The network segment appears as a key-value pair.
</Tab>
</Tabs>
## Related resources
You can also create and run a prepared query to query for additional information about the services registered to client nodes. Prepared queries are HTTP API endpoint features that enable you to run complex queries of Consul nodes. Refer [Prepared Query HTTP Endpoint](/consul/api-docs/query) for usage.

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@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
---
layout: docs
page_title: Network Segments Overview
description: >-
Network segments enable LAN gossip traffic within a datacenter when network rules or firewalls prevent specific sets of clients from communicating directly. Learn about segmented network concepts.
---
# Network Segments Overview
Network segmentation is the practice of dividing a network into multiple segments or subnets that act as independent networks. This topic provides an overview of concepts related to operating Consul in a segmented network.
<EnterpriseAlert>
This feature requires Consul Enterprise version 0.9.3 or later.
Refer to the [enterprise feature matrix](/consul/docs/enterprise#consul-enterprise-feature-availability) for additional information.
</EnterpriseAlert>
## Segmented networks
Consul requires full connectivity between all agents in a datacenter within a LAN gossip pool. In some environments, however, business policies enforced through network rules or firewalls prevent full connectivity between all agents. These environments are called _segmented networks_. Network segments are isolated LAN gossip pools that only require full connectivity between agent members on the same segment.
To use Consul in a segmented network, you must define the segments in your server agent configuration and direct client agents to join one of the segments. The Consul network segment configuration should match the LAN gossip pool boundaries. The following diagram shows how a network may be segmented:
![Consul datacenter agent connectivity with network segments](/img/network-segments/consul-network-segments-multiple.png)
## Default network segment
By default, all Consul agents are part of a shared Serf LAN gossip pool, referred to as the `<default>` network segment. Because all agents are within the same segment, full mesh connectivity within the datacenter is required. The following diagram shows the `<default>` network segment:
![Consul datacenter default agent connectivity: one network segment](/img/network-segments/consul-network-segments-single.png)
## Segment membership
Server agents are members of all segments. The datacenter includes the `<default>` segment, as well as additional segments defined in the `segments` server agent configuration option. Refer to the [`segments`](/consul/docs/agent/config/config-files#segments) documentation for additional information.
Each client agent can only be a member of one segment at a time. Client agents are members of the `<default>` segment unless they are configured to join a different segment.
For a client agent to join the Consul datacenter, it must connect to another agent (client or server) within its configured segment.
Complete the [Network Segments](https://learn.hashicorp.com/tutorials/consul/network-partition-datacenters) tutorial to learn more about network segments.
-> **Info:** Network segments enable you to operate a Consul datacenter without full
mesh (LAN) connectivity between agents. To federate multiple Consul datacenters
without full mesh (WAN) connectivity between all server agents in all datacenters,
use [Network Areas (Enterprise)](/docs/enterprise/federation).
## Consul networking models
Network segments are a subset of other Consul networking models. Understanding the broader models will help you segment your network. Refer to [Architecture Overview](/consul/docs/architecture) for additional information about the following concepts.
### Clusters
You can segment networks within a Consul _cluster_. A cluster is one or more Consul servers that form a Raft quorum and one or more Consul clients that are members of the same [datacenter](/consul/docs/agent/config/cli-flags#_datacenter). The cluster is sometimes called the _local cluster_. Consul clients discover and make RPC requests to Consul servers in their local cluster through the gossip mechanism. Consul OSS uses LAN gossip for intra-cluster communication between agents.
### LAN gossip pool
A set of fully-connected Consul agents is a _LAN gossip pool_. LAN gossip pools use the Serf protocol to maintain a shared view of the members of the pool for different purposes, such as finding a Consul server in a local cluster or finding servers in a remote cluster. A segmented LAN gossip pool limits a group of agents to only connect with the agents in its segment.
## Network segments versus network areas
Network segments enable you to operate a Consul datacenter without full mesh connectivity between agents using a LAN gossip pool. To federate multiple Consul datacenters without full mesh connectivity between all server agents in all datacenters, use [network areas](/consul/docs/enterprise/federation). Network areas are a Consul Enterprise capability.

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@ -1251,7 +1251,16 @@
},
{
"title": "Network Segments",
"path": "enterprise/network-segments"
"routes":[
{
"title": "Network Segments Overview",
"path": "enterprise/network-segments/network-segments-overview"
},
{
"title": "Create a Network Segment",
"path": "enterprise/network-segments/create-network-segment"
}
]
},
{
"title": "Namespaces",