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Introduction:
In the world of computer networking, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) have become an essential tool for managing and optimizing network traffic. VLANs are a method of logically segmenting a single physical network into multiple virtual networks, allowing for enhanced security, increased flexibility, and improved performance. By grouping devices into separate VLANs, network administrators gain more control over network traffic flow, enabling them to assign different access privileges and apply specific security measures based on each VLAN’s requirements.
Is it necessary to use VLANs?
The necessity to use VLANs often depends on the size, complexity, and security requirements of a network. VLANs are particularly beneficial in large organizations or enterprises where different departments or user groups require segregated networks to maintain data separation, improve security, and optimize bandwidth utilization. Moreover, VLANs facilitate traffic isolation, reducing the chances of unauthorized access and data breaches. However, for smaller networks or home setups, VLANs might not be essential, as the complexity and resources needed for their implementation may outweigh the benefits.
How to create VLANs?
Creating VLANs involves configuring network devices such as switches, routers, or firewalls to define specific VLANs and their associated settings. To begin, a network administrator must access the network’s management interface and identify the relevant devices that support VLANs. Generally, managed switches provide the necessary capabilities for VLAN configuration. Using the device’s management interface, administrators can create VLANs, assign Ports to VLANs, set access control policies, and configure VLAN-related parameters like VLAN ID, VLAN type, and VLAN tagging. Additionally, routers and firewalls can be configured to route traffic between VLANs and enforce security policies at the network boundary.
In conclusion, VLANs offer a powerful method to organize and optimize network infrastructures. While the necessity for using VLANs depends on network scale and security requirements, their benefits usually outweigh the costs for medium to large-sized organizations. Properly configured VLANs enhance network security, enable efficient resource allocation, and provide better control over network traffic. Implementing VLANs requires familiarity with network devices’ management interfaces and relevant configuration techniques, empowering network administrators to tailor their networks according to their organization’s specific needs.
You’ve heard of VLANs or virtual LANs. So what is VLAN? Is it necessary? Find out with Tnhelearning.edu.vn’s good experience in the article below!
What are VLANs?
a. What is LAN?
Before learning about VLANs, we must understand what LAN is.
LAN is a local area network (short for Local Area Network), which is defined as all computers in the same broadcast domain.
Routers (routers) intercept broadcasts, while switches (switches) just forward them.
b. What are VLANs?
VLAN is a virtual LAN. Technically, a VLAN is a broadcast domain created by switches. Normally, the router plays the role of creating the broadcast domain. For VLANs, the switch can create a broadcast domain.
You can understand more easily that VLAN is used to divide a switch into many smaller and completely independent switches.
For network : VLAN = Broadcast domain= Logical Network , and for switch : VLAN = Logical switch.
A switch can create multiple VLANs, when the switch has a broadcast sent by a device in one VLAN will be forwarded to other devices in the same VLAN, but the broadcast will not be forwarded to devices in the other VLAN. .
VLAN classification
There are three main types of VLAN networks:
- Port – based VLAN : is a simple and common way to configure VLANs. Each switch port is attached to a specific VLAN (VLAN 1) by default, so any host device attached to that port belongs to a certain VLAN.
- MAC address based VLAN : This configuration is rarely used due to many inconveniences in management. Each MAC address is marked with a specific VLAN.
- Protocol-based VLAN : This configuration is similar to MAC Address based, but uses a logical address or IP address instead of the MAC address. The configuration is no longer common by using the DHCP protocol.
Are VLANs necessary?
You need VLANs when your computer network is too large and has too much traffic.
Another important issue is that on Cisco switches, VLANs are enabled by default and all computers are in one VLAN. That VLAN is VLAN 1. So by default, you can use all ports on the switch and all computers are able to communicate with each other.
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Benefits of VLANs
– Save network bandwidth: Because VLAN can divide LAN into different segments.
– When sending a packet, it will only send in a single VLAN, not in other VLANs, so it can reduce traffic, save bandwidth, and do not reduce transmission speed.
– Increased security: Different VLANs cannot access each other (unless there is a routing declaration). If there is a failure of one VLAN, it will not affect the other VLAN.
– Easily add or remove computers to VLAN: On a multi-port switch, it is possible to configure different VLANs for each port, so it is easy to connect more computers with VLANs.
– Network with high mobility: VLAN can easily move devices. VLANs can be configured statically or dynamically. In the static configuration, the network administrator must configure each port of each switch. Then assign it to a certain VLAN. In dynamic configuration, each port of the switch can configure its own VLAN based on the MAC address of the device it is connected to.
VLAN network brings a lot of benefits to help reduce the load and evenly distribute internet access, especially for computers with large capacity, many people accessing at the same time so that users can access the internet faster. VLAN networks are often applied to large companies when the amount of internet traffic is too much at the same time.
When do you need a VLAN?
You need to consider using VLANs in the following cases:
– You have more than 200 computers in the LAN.
– Broadcast traffic in your LAN is too large.
– Workgroups that need increased security or are slowed down by too many broadcasts.
– Workgroups need to be on the same broadcast domain because they are sharing the same applications. For example, a company uses VoIP phones. Some people who want to use the phone may be on a different VLAN network, not with regular users.
– Convert a single switch into multiple virtual switches.
How to create VLANs? What do VLANs provide?
a. How to create VLANs?
How to configure a VLAN network can vary depending on different Cisco switch models. Your goal is:
- Create a new VLAN.
- Set each port to the appropriate VLAN.
Let’s say we want to create VLANs 5 and 10. We want to put ports 2 and 3 into VLAN 5 (Marketing) and ports 4 and 5 into VLAN 10 (HR). Here’s how to do it on a Cisco 2950 switch:
At this time, only ports 2 and 3 can communicate with each other as well as only ports 4 and 5 can communicate with each other. The reason is because they are on the same VLAN. In order for the computer on port 2 to communicate with the computer on port 4, you need to configure the trunk port to the router so that it can remove VLAN information, route packets, and add VLAN information.
b. What do VLANs provide?
VLAN helps to increase the performance of medium and large LANs because it limits broadcast messages. As the number of computers and traffic increases, the number of broadcast packets also increases. By using VLANs, you can limit broadcasts.
VLANs also enhance security because you essentially put a group of computers in a VLAN on their own network.
The above article briefly introduces VLAN or virtual LAN. Hope it helps you in the process of using the computer!
In conclusion, VLANs, or Virtual Local Area Networks, serve as a crucial networking technology that brings flexibility, security, and efficiency in the management of large networks. By grouping devices together based on logical requirements rather than physical location, VLANs allow for segmented networks within an organization. This segmentation provides benefits such as enhanced security, improved network performance, and simplified network administration.
Whether it is necessary to use VLANs depends on the specific requirements of an organization. While smaller networks with limited devices and straightforward networking needs may not find VLANs essential, larger organizations and complex networks greatly benefit from their implementation. VLANs help to minimize unnecessary network traffic, isolate critical systems, and ensure proper network access controls.
Creating VLANs involves a combination of hardware and software configuration. To create VLANs, one needs a VLAN-capable switch that supports VLAN configuration. By logging into the switch’s management interface, administrators can define different VLANs using either port-based or tag-based methods. Port-based VLANs assign specific switch ports to particular VLANs, while tag-based VLANs use VLAN tagging to identify the VLAN to which a network frame belongs. Both methods allow for the creation of multiple VLANs within a network.
In summary, VLANs play a vital role in network management, offering enhanced security, improved performance, and simplified administration. While the necessity of VLAN usage varies depending on the organization’s size and network complexity, larger networks often find VLANs indispensable. Creating VLANs involves configuring VLAN-capable switches, either through port-based or tag-based methods, to establish segmented networks and optimize network operations. Overall, understanding and implementing VLANs can significantly enhance network efficiency and security.
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