What Is VLAN?

• VLAN Definition

  VLAN Definition

  A virtual local area network (VLAN) is a virtualized connection that connects multiple devices and network nodes from different LANs into one logical network.
• What are the types of VLAN?

  What are the types of VLAN?

  Virtual local area networks have become crucial for organizations with complex networking systems. Organizations require solutions that allow them to scale their networks, segment them to increase security measures, and decrease network latency. While LAN is used to connect a group of devices such as computers and printers to a server via cables, VLANs allow multiple LANs and associated devices to communicate via wireless internet. Outlined below are the five different types of virtual networks:

  • Management virtual local area network: A smaller network designed to help manage traffic coming from devices, application logging, and monitoring. The major advantage of using this network is improved network security. It can minimize the impact of broadcast radiation and make the network safer by restricting its access and diverting all the regular traffic to other virtual networks.
  • Voice virtual local area network: This type of network is configured to carry voice traffic and helps preserve bandwidth and improve VoIP quality. It can be used to manage traffic generated from VoIP equipment or devices such as IP phones, VoIP endpoints, and voice systems. This type of network is mostly given high transmission priority over other network traffic.
  • Native virtual local area network: A concept used in the traditional system or devices that don’t support VLANs. This network serves as a common identifier on opposing ends of the trunk links to carry untagged traffic generated by a system or devices configured with the native VLAN via switch port. 
  • Default virtual local area network: A default virtual network with all the access ports until they’re assigned to other networks such as voice or management virtual networks. Default virtual network allows different devices to connect to each other. Moreover, this network cannot be renamed or deleted.
  • Data virtual local area network: Divides the entire network into two major groups known as users and devices. This network cannot carry management or voice traffic. It’s configured to carry only user-generated data. This network allows administrators to group users even if they’re not connected to the same network switch.
• How to manage and configure VLANs

  How to manage and configure VLANs

  The purpose of a virtual LAN is to provide a helpful layer of intercommunication within LANs and associated devices. Switch ports are essential components of this type of network configuration and help group multiple devices from distinct LANs. This way, communication and data sharing among the devices become more manageable and convenient.

  How to configure a virtual LAN

  The configuration of virtual LANs involves similar processes as physical network configuration. You need to discover the network nodes you need to manage. The next step is to establish VLAN configuration files to keep track of detectable nodes. Once configuration is complete, you can archive them or edit them for troubleshooting diagnostics. One of the simplest ways to set up VLAN configurations is to use VLAN configuration tools to exchange information and automate configuration files for updates.

  Why is VLAN management important?

  Manual VLAN management can be challenging, especially when you have a large network with multiple LANs. Manual execution and configuration changes can increase the risk of inaccuracies and errors that can lead to downtime and latency issues. It can also bring about unnecessary or unproductive conflicts with your security compliance reporting. The best way is to keep an accurate and up-to-date configuration setup to maintain security and compliance regulations and catch potential issues in your virtual network.

  VLAN management software helps you gain real-time network updates and receive instant alerts about modifications in network nodes. These tools can also help in disaster recovery management.
• What are the advantages of VLAN?

  What are the advantages of VLAN?

  VLAN offers several advantages such as simplified administration, increased performance, greater flexibility, and more.

  • Saves cost: Workstations or devices associated with a particular VLAN can communicate via switches, eliminating the need to use routers required to receive and send data on computer networks from outside the virtual LAN. Routers can cause bottlenecks and raise security concerns due to external data exchange in massive amounts. On the other hand, switches have fewer capabilities than a router, but they can exchange information with the devices within the network and manage the data load efficiently. This setup and configuration can help your organization cut down the cost of investing in routers and decrease overall network latency.
  • Offer greater flexibility: Virtual LANs are more flexible than physical networks. They can be easily configured, updated, and assigned based on port, subnet criteria, and protocol. As these networks are independent of proximity to other devices or physical connections such as wires and cables, it becomes easier for you to collaborate with your team and exchange data.
  • Simplified administration and enhanced security: Virtual LANs don’t require in-depth administrative monitoring. These networks allow you to limit, change, delete, update, or modify access controls and permissions rights. If you need to provide access to a specified group of users, you can divide systems and devices into multiple LAN segments to ensure security. There’s no need to reconfigure virtual LANs if the devices, systems, or user groups associated with the specific network are shifted. This way, your organization can save time, cost, and resources.
• What are the differences between LAN and VLAN?

  What are the differences between LAN and VLAN?

  LAN: A local area network (LAN) is a set of devices or systems connected through cables to exchange business-critical data from one system to another. LAN is limited to a specific geographic area such as a building, floor, and so on. This cost-effective network system uses cables and networking devices to maintain a connection. LAN is centrally managed and enables you to share data and resources such as files, applications, and printers with your team.

  Local area networks require some specific components for operations, such as an interface or endpoints, interconnections, protocols, and network devices.

  • Endpoints in the network are required to send and receive data. These endpoints can be computers or other electronic devices.
  • Interconnections facilitate the transfer of data from one device to another. NIC and network devices such as cables and wireless media are some examples of interconnections that can transmit signals. The role of these interconnections is to convert data in a specific format, so it can be transmitted over the LAN.
  • Protocols such as ARP, IP, and DHCP are required to control data transmission over LAN.
  • Network devices such as hubs, switches, and routers are used to assemble endpoints with LAN segments.

  Virtual LAN: A logical separation of a local area network (LAN) into multiple segments within a single bandwidth. One of the significant advantages of using this network is it’s customizable. This helps eliminate the need to install several switches to connect to subnetworks, thereby generating more bandwidth. This network system utilizes switch ports for its implementation. There are two ways to establish a virtual LAN: static and dynamic.

  Static: This network creation requires virtual LANs to connect to the port manually. It’s the most secure way to create a virtual connection as the configurations cannot be altered without the administrator's permission.

  Dynamic: Dynamic creation requires software or intelligent tools to assign a virtual LAN to the port automatically.