VLANverkkoja

VLANverkkoja, often translated as VLAN networks or simply VLANs, are a fundamental networking technology used to logically segment a physical network into multiple broadcast domains. This segmentation is achieved by assigning ports on a network switch to specific Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). Devices within the same VLAN can communicate directly with each other as if they were on the same physical network segment. However, devices in different VLANs cannot communicate directly and require a Layer 3 device, such as a router, to facilitate inter-VLAN routing.

The primary benefits of using VLANs include enhanced security, improved performance, and simplified network management. By isolating traffic, VLANs prevent broadcast storms from overwhelming the network and limit the scope of security breaches. Different departments or user groups can be placed in separate VLANs, restricting their access to only the resources they need. This also allows for the prioritization of certain types of traffic, such as voice or video, within their respective VLANs, leading to better quality of service. Administratively, VLANs simplify the process of adding, moving, or changing users and devices by allowing configuration changes to be made logically rather than requiring physical recabling.

VLANs are identified by a VLAN ID, a number typically between 1 and 4096, assigned to each network segment. Traffic is tagged with its corresponding VLAN ID using standards like IEEE 802.1Q. This tagging allows switches to correctly route frames to devices within the appropriate VLAN, even across trunk links that carry traffic for multiple VLANs. The implementation of VLANs is a standard feature on most managed network switches, making them a widely adopted technology in both enterprise and smaller network environments.