Week 5.2 - VLAN creation guidelines.docx
- 1. Week 5 – VLAN creation guidelines Creating VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) is a common practice in network management to segment traffic and improve security and performance. Here are some guidelines for creating VLANs: 1. Plan Ahead: Before creating VLANs, have a clear understanding of your network requirements, including the number of VLANs needed, their purpose, and the devices that will be connected to each VLAN. 2. Use VLAN Tagging: VLAN tagging allows network devices to differentiate between different VLANs. Use IEEE 802.1Q tagging standard for interoperability. 3. Segment by Function: Group devices based on their functions or roles. For example, separate user devices from servers or IoT devices.
- 2. 4. Consider Traffic Patterns: Create VLANs based on traffic patterns to reduce broadcast domains and improve network performance. For example, separate high-bandwidth devices from low-bandwidth devices. 5. Use VLAN IDs Wisely: VLAN IDs range from 1 to 4094, but not all IDs are usable. Avoid using VLANs 0 and 4095, as they are reserved. Also, avoid using VLANs 1 and 1002- 1005, as they have special functions in some devices. 6. Document VLAN Configuration: Keep detailed documentation of your VLAN configuration, including VLAN IDs, names, and the devices connected to each VLAN.
- 3. 7. Implement VLAN Security: Use VLANs to enhance security by separating sensitive data traffic from general traffic. Implement access control lists (ACLs) and firewall rules to control traffic between VLANs. 8. Monitor and Maintain VLANs: Regularly monitor VLAN traffic and performance to identify and resolve any issues. Update VLAN configurations as network requirements change. 9. Avoid VLAN Spanning: Try to keep VLANs local to a single switch or a small group of interconnected switches to avoid spanning VLANs across the entire network, which can lead to broadcast storms and other issues. 10. Backup VLAN Configurations: Periodically backup your VLAN configurations to avoid losing your settings due to device failure or accidental changes.