🎁 New User? Get 20% off your first purchase with code NEWUSER20 · ⚡ Instant download · 🔒 Secure checkout Register Now →
Menu

Categories

Networking Intermediate

What is VLAN (Virtual LAN)?

A logical grouping of network devices that creates separate broadcast domains on the same physical network infrastructure.

VLANs segment a physical network into multiple logical networks. Devices in the same VLAN can communicate directly, while VLAN-to-VLAN traffic requires routing. This improves security, reduces broadcast traffic, and simplifies network management.

VLANs use 802.1Q tagging to identify which VLAN a frame belongs to. Common uses include separating departments (HR, Engineering), isolating guest Wi-Fi, and segmenting IoT devices from main networks.

Related Terms

CIDR Notation
A compact method for specifying IP addresses and their associated routing prefix using a slash followed by the prefix length.
Network Packet
A formatted unit of data carried over a network, containing headers with routing information and a payload with the actual data.
Traceroute
A network diagnostic tool that shows the path packets take from source to destination, listing each hop along the way.
Anycast
A network routing technique where the same IP address is announced from multiple locations, directing users to the nearest server.
DHCP
A protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices on a network.
NAT (Network Address Translation)
A method of mapping private IP addresses to public IP addresses, allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP.
 View All Networking Terms →