NETWORKING

VLANs Explained for Beginners

Understand why VLANs exist, how access and trunk links differ, and how VLAN mistakes cause connectivity problems.

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Why VLANs exist

A VLAN creates a logical Layer-2 broadcast domain. Multiple VLANs can share switching hardware while remaining logically separated.

Access ports

An access port normally carries traffic for one VLAN toward an endpoint.

Trunks

A trunk can carry traffic for multiple VLANs between network devices or other systems designed to handle tagged traffic.

Inter-VLAN routing

Devices in different VLANs need Layer-3 routing to communicate, subject to routing and security policy.

Troubleshooting

Verify endpoint addressing, access VLAN, trunk allowance, gateway, routing, and policy rather than changing multiple settings at once.

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