VLAN 20 for IoT Sensors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBy tagging traffic with VLAN 10 or VLAN 20, the network ensures employee and IoT traffic remain isolated, preventing data collisions or security risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagram<\/strong> (Text-based)<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- [Device A on VLAN 10] \u2192 [Switch (Tag VLAN 10)] \u2192 [Trunk Port] \u2192 [Switch (Tag VLAN 10)] \u2192 [Device B on VLAN 10].\n
\n- Traffic stays separate despite sharing the physical switch infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why VLAN IDs Are Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nVLAN IDs are a critical part of modern network management, offering multiple benefits that impact performance, security, and scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Network Segmentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVLAN IDs allow administrators to segment a physical network into smaller, logical networks<\/strong>. For example, VLANs can separate finance, HR, and guest traffic, creating isolated broadcast domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Traffic Management & Efficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWithout VLANs, all devices within a broadcast domain receive unnecessary traffic. VLAN IDs prevent this by ensuring broadcast traffic is limited to the specific VLAN, reducing congestion and improving performance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Enhanced Security<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBy isolating sensitive traffic (e.g., between corporate devices and guest Wi-Fi), VLAN IDs reduce the risk of data breaches<\/strong>. Unauthorized users on one VLAN cannot access resources on another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Broadcast Domain Reduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNetwork broadcast storms can overwhelm bandwidth. VLAN IDs mitigate this by restricting broadcasts to devices within the same VLAN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReal-World Use Case<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nA hospital uses VLANs to isolate patient medical devices from the public Wi-Fi network. VLAN IDs ensure critical data remains private while maintaining smooth operations for both VLANs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Configuring VLAN IDs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo use VLAN IDs effectively, IT teams must configure VLANs on managed switches<\/strong>. Here’s a simplified guide to configuring VLAN IDs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Access and Trunk Ports<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAccess Port<\/strong>: Assign a fixed VLAN ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExample:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Port 1 \u2192 VLAN 10 (Employee Devices).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Port 2 \u2192 VLAN 20 (Guest Wi-Fi).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trunk Port<\/strong>: Allow multiple VLANs to pass through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Port connecting two switches tagged with VLANs 10 and 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Creating VLANs on a Managed Switch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Log in to the switch management interface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Navigate to the VLAN management section.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Define a VLAN ID (e.g., 10) and name (e.g., “HR_VLAN”).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Associate ports with the VLAN ID.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Best Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Avoid Using VLAN 1<\/strong> for critical traffic since it is the default for most devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use a standardized naming convention (e.g., HR_VLAN10) for clarity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Document VLAN ID-to-port mappings for easier troubleshooting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Glossary of Terms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)<\/strong>: A logical subdivision of a network allowing for isolation and segmentation of traffic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- IEEE 802.1Q<\/strong>: The networking standard that defines the operation of VLAN tagging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- VLAN Tagging<\/strong>: The process of inserting a VLAN ID into an Ethernet frame header.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trunk Port<\/strong>: A switch port configured to carry traffic for multiple VLANs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Access Port<\/strong>: A switch port assigned to a single VLAN, forwarding untagged traffic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Broadcast Domain<\/strong>: The portion of a network within which devices receive broadcast frames.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Native VLAN<\/strong>: The VLAN that carries untagged traffic on a trunk port.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n