V
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
A logical subdivision of a physical network that groups devices together regardless of their physical location, improving security and traffic management.
What is a VLAN?
A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices that communicate as if they were on the same physical network segment, regardless of their actual physical location. VLANs partition a single physical network into multiple isolated broadcast domains.
How VLANs Work
VLANs operate at Layer 2 (Data Link) of the OSI model. Network switches tag Ethernet frames with VLAN identifiers (IDs), allowing traffic to be segregated logically. Devices within the same VLAN can communicate directly, while inter-VLAN communication requires a Layer 3 device (router).
Types of VLANs
- Data VLAN: Carries user-generated traffic
- Voice VLAN: Prioritizes VoIP traffic
- Management VLAN: Used for switch administration
- Native VLAN: Handles untagged traffic on trunk ports
Benefits
- Enhanced security through network segmentation
- Reduced broadcast traffic and improved performance
- Simplified network management
- Flexible network design independent of physical topology
- Cost savings by reducing need for additional hardware