The first section of this blog discusses what VLAN is and how it works: the benefits, kinds, and use of VLANs in a multiple switched environment.
The partition of large broadcast domains into smaller domains is one method that contributes to network performance improvement. Routers prohibit broadcast traffic on an interface due to a design constraint. On the other hand, Routers often have a restricted number of LAN ports.
A router’s primary job is transporting data across networks, whereas granting access to a LAN is often kept for access layer switches. Like Layer 3 devices, users can form a virtual local area network (VLAN) on a Layer 2 switch to minimise the size of broadcast domains. While VLANs are typically employed in switched local area networks, newer implementations enable them to traverse MAN and WAN networks.
Because VLANs split the network, a layer three mechanism is required to allow traffic to flow across network segments. people can use a router or a layer three switch interface to implement this layer three routing procedure. The employment of a layer three device enables traffic flow management between network segments, including those generated by VLANs.
VLANs enable the grouping of devices inside a LAN. Within a VLAN, devices communicate as if the same cable linked them. Virtual local area networks (VLANs) are based on logical connections rather than physical ones.
What is a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)?
A virtual local area network (VLAN) enables administrators to separate networks based on function, project team, or application, independent of the user’s or device’s actual location. Devices inside a VLAN operate independently, even if they share infrastructure with other VLANs. Any switch port can be assigned to a VLAN, and unicast, broadcast, and multicast packets are sent to and saturate only the terminal stations on the VLAN from which they originated. Each VLAN is treated as a distinct logical network. Packets destined for stations outside the VLAN must be routed through a routing device.
How do VLANs operate?
A switched network can support multiple IP subnets without various VLANs. The devices will, nevertheless, share the same Layer 2 broadcast domain. This implies that any Layer 2 broadcasts, like ARP requests, will be received by all devices on the switched network, even if He does not want them to.
A virtual local area network (VLAN) establishes a logical broadcast domain that may span many physical local area networks (LANs). By separating huge broadcast domains into smaller ones, VLANs increase network performance. If a device in one VLAN broadcasts a broadcast Ethernet frame, the frame is received by all devices in that VLAN but not by machines in other VLANs.
VLANs make it possible to create access and security controls for specified groups of users. Each switch port can be allocated to a single virtual local area network (VLAN) (except for a port connected to an IP phone or another switch).
VLAN BENEFITS
VLAN networks make constructing a network that supports an organisation’s objectives easier. The primary advantages of VLANs are as follows:
Security: sensitive data groups are isolated from the rest of the network, limiting the likelihood of secret information being compromised.
Cost saving: Cost savings are achieved by avoiding costly network updates and better using existing connections and capacity.
Increased performance: Segmenting layer two flat networks into numerous logical workgroups (broadcast domains) reduces excessive network traffic and improves performance.
Reduced size of broadcast domains: By segmenting a network into VLAN networks, the number of devices in the broadcast domain is decreased.
Increased IT staff efficiency: VLANs simplify network management by allowing users with similar network requirements to use a single VLAN. Additionally, IT employees may quickly identify the purpose of a VLAN by assigning it a name.
VLANs simplify application and project administration by adding network devices and users to meet geographical or commercial needs. It facilitates the management of a project or job with a specific application due to its various properties.
TYPES OF VLANS
VLAN networks come in various flavours and are widely utilised in contemporary networks. Certain VLAN kinds are described in terms of traffic classifications, and other sorts of VLANs are characterised by the purpose they perform.
1. DATA VLAN
A data VLAN is a virtual local area network (VLAN) designed to carry user-generated traffic. A VLAN is a virtual local area network (VLAN) designed to bring user-generated traffic. VLANs are used to segment the network into the user or device groups.
2. DEFAULT VLAN
Following the initial starting of a switch that loads the default configuration, all switch ports become members of the default VLAN. Switch ports members of the default VLAN have a common broadcast domain. This enables any device attached to a switch port to communicate with devices connected to other switch ports. VLAN 1 is the default VLAN configuration for Cisco switches. Take note that by default, all ports are allocated to VLAN 1.
VLAN 1 is identical to any other VLAN, except that it cannot be renamed or removed. By default, all Layer 2 control traffic is assigned to VLAN 1.
3. NATIVE VLAN
An 802.1Q trunk port is allocated a native VLAN. Trunk link ports connect switches and enable the transfer of traffic associated with several VLANs. 802.1Q trunk link ports allow traffic from several VLANs (tagged traffic) and untagged traffic (untagged traffic). Tagged traffic is defined as traffic that has a 4-byte tag in the original Ethernet frame header that defines the frame’s VLAN. Unlabelled traffic is routed over the 802.1Q trunk connection port to the native VLAN, which is VLAN 1 by default.
Native VLANs are specified in the IEEE 802.1Q specification to preserve compatibility with unlabelled traffic from prior models prevalent in older LAN configurations. A native VLAN serves as a unifying identity for the two endpoints of a trunk link.
It is advised that the native VLAN be configured as an unused VLAN separate from VLAN 1 and other VLANs. Indeed, it is not uncommon for a single VLAN to serve as the native VLAN for all trunk link ports in a switched domain.
4. ADMINISTRATION VLAN
A management VLAN is any VLAN configured to access a switch’s management capabilities. By default, VLAN 1 is the administration VLAN. An IP address and subnet mask are provided to the virtual switch interface (SVI), enabling the switch to be administered through HTTP, Telnet, SSH, and SNMP. Because VLAN 1 is established as the default VLAN in the factory configuration of a Cisco switch, it is not a good choice.
5. VOICE VLAN
A separate VLAN is required to enable voice over IP (VoIP) technologies. VoIP traffic requires the following:
- Guaranteed bandwidth to ensure the highest possible voice quality
- Transmission priority over other forms of network traffic
- The capability of being routed via congested network locations
- A network latency of fewer than 150 milliseconds
The network must be designed with VoIP in mind to achieve these needs.
For cyber security-related issues of businesses: https://www.benchmarkitservices.com/cyber-security/
For Data security related issues of businesses: https://www.benchmarkitservices.com/backup/
