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A VLAN (virtual local area network) divides a switched Ethernet network into logical Layer 2 segments. Switch ports place traffic into VLANs, and IEEE 802.1Q tags identify VLANs when multiple segments share a trunk link. Devices in different VLANs need a router or Layer 3 switch to communicate.
What a VLAN separates—and what it does not
A VLAN groups network traffic into a logical Layer 2 segment, even when the connected devices do not share one physical switch. Switches forward traffic within the relevant VLAN rather than treating every connected device as part of one undivided Ethernet network. A VLAN is not a separate cable, and it does not by itself provide communication between different IP networks.
VLAN membership is not a complete security policy. Devices in separate VLANs are separated at Layer 2, but a router or Layer 3 switch can route traffic between them. Network policy must determine which routed traffic is permitted.
How VLAN traffic moves through a network
- The switch classifies incoming traffic. A switch associates frames with a VLAN based on the ingress port’s configuration and, where supported, a VLAN tag already present on the frame.
- The switch forwards within that VLAN. Layer 2 switching keeps the traffic associated with its VLAN as it moves across the switched network.
- A trunk carries multiple VLANs over one link. IEEE 802.1Q identifies VLAN traffic with a tag in Ethernet frames on tagged links. Cisco describes the tag as four bytes, inserted between the source address and type/length fields; its VLAN identifier is 12 bits. That field represents 4096 possible values, though that technical capacity does not mean every value is available for assignment on every platform. Cisco: Inter-Switch Link and IEEE 802.1Q Frame Format
- A Layer 3 device routes between VLANs when needed. A router or Layer 3 switch provides inter-VLAN routing. Equipment and network design determine the specific implementation; one approach described by Cisco uses IEEE 802.1Q subinterfaces. Cisco: Configuring Routing Between VLANs
Access ports, trunk ports, and the native VLAN
| Port or setting | What it does | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Access port | Associates endpoint traffic with one configured VLAN. Cisco recommends configuring access mode when trunking is not intended. | Typically used for a device such as a computer that connects to a single VLAN. |
| Trunk port | Carries traffic for multiple VLANs across a shared link, using 802.1Q tags for VLAN identification. Cisco documentation includes allowed-VLAN controls. | Commonly used between network devices that need to carry more than one VLAN. |
| Native VLAN | In Cisco’s documented behavior, untagged frames received on a trunk are assigned to its native VLAN. Outgoing traffic for that VLAN is untagged; traffic for other VLANs is tagged. | Applies to untagged traffic on a trunk in implementations that use this behavior. Cisco’s cited IOS XE guide gives VLAN 1 as the default native VLAN, but allows another VLAN ID to be configured. |
Terminology, defaults, and exact configuration controls can differ by vendor. On Cisco equipment, the native VLAN should match at both ends of an 802.1Q trunk; Cisco warns that a mismatch can contribute to spanning-tree loops. Its guide also cautions against disabling spanning tree without considering loop implications. Cisco IOS XE 17: Configure VLAN Trunking
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#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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Can devices in different VLANs communicate?
Not by Layer 2 switching alone. Traffic between VLANs must be routed by a router or Layer 3 switch. The network can then apply policy to allow or block particular flows—for example, allowing guest devices to reach the internet while preventing access to staff resources.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Example: separating staff and guest devices
In a small office, a managed switch could place staff computers and guest devices in separate VLANs. A switch-to-router trunk could carry both VLANs. The router could provide addressing and route traffic while enforcing a policy that limits guest access to staff devices. This illustrates the design pattern; it is not a tested configuration or a guarantee that a particular product supports it.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What to check before setting up VLANs
- Confirm that the switch supports managed VLAN configuration and IEEE 802.1Q tagging.
- Identify which ports should be access ports and which links need to be trunks.
- For each trunk, check the allowed VLANs and, if applicable, configure matching native VLANs at both ends.
- Decide whether VLANs need to communicate and confirm that a router or Layer 3 switch can provide the required routing and policy controls.
- Check the specific device’s documentation for its defaults and configuration interface; commands and behavior are not universal across vendors.
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