What are the types of Virtual LAN (VLAN)?


A VLAN is called a subnetwork that can group together devices on separate physical local area networks. A LAN is a group of computers or devices that share a communications line/wireless link to a server within the same geographical area.

VLANs provide security on larger networks by allowing a higher degree of control over which devices have access to each other. They are flexible because VALNs are based on logical connections, rather than physical.

Working of VLAN

When a switch receives an Ethernet frame, the frame will either already have a VLAN tag or switch will insert a VLAN tag into the Ethernet header. If the frame was received from another switch, that switch will have inserted the VLAN tag, whereas frames coming from network devices, such as computers will not have a VLAN tag.

If you are using switch defaults for VLANs, the VLAN tag that will be placed on the frame is VLAN1. When placing a VLAN tag on the Ethernet frame, four bytes of data, which make up the VLAN tag, are inserted before the Type field.

How is it used?

Vlans are used to divide large domains. It breaks up a large network into chunks of smaller networks to avoid broadcast storms. It makes network management easier.

For example, consider a highway road which is having heavy traffic all the time. Let’s assume there are multiple bridges (assume as vlans) to different routes across the highway road. It helps the travellers on the road to travel in a smooth, easy and safe way.

Thus, it provides a layer of protection to the network.

Example

Given below is an example of VLAN −

Types

The different types of VLAN are as follows −

  • Management VLAN

  • Data VLAN

  • Voice VLAN

  • Default VLAN

  • Native VLAN

Benefits

The benefits of VLAN are given below −

  • Improved security

  • Easier fault management

  • Simplified administration for network-manager

  • Improved quality of services

Updated on: 21-Mar-2022

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