VLANs

This past week I’ve been learning more about Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). Layer 2 , switches create VLANs to reduce broadcast domains similarly to Layer 3 switches. VLANs are , grouped by their logical connections not their physical connections and are often based on , function or application. VLANs provide improved security, reduce costs, increase performance, , have smaller broadcast domains, and increase IT/management efficiency. There are 4 main types , of VLANs: Data VLANs, Default VLANs, Native VLANs, and Management VLANs. There are also , trunk VLANs that link between switches to support the transmission of data associated with , numerous VLANs. VLAN configurations are stored in the VLAN.dat file in the Flash storage, , NVRAM. The only instance where 2 VLANs could be assigned to a single port are for IP Phones, , otherwise, VLANs can only be assigned to one port. It is also recommended to change a switch's , default native VLAN and default VLAN to avoid hackers from accessing confidential information. , It is also strongly recommended to disable the DTP auto negotiation on end user ports to , maintain the confidentiality of the network from hackers. If these security measures and more , are implemented VLANs can be used to effectively network within an organization. VLANs , overall provide extra security and increase connectivity and efficiency within an organization , with multiple switches.