LAN Version Subnetting

Large organizations often consist of multiple departments that require logical networks to be created across the physical network. Two main ways to create logical networks are virtual LANs (VLANs) and subnetting.

Answer the following question(s):

In what situation would you create logical networks with VLANs rather than subnetting? Why?

Full Answer Section
  • When you need to support a large number of devices: VLANs can be used to support a large number of devices on a single physical network. This is because each VLAN can be treated as a separate network, which means that you can have a large number of devices on each VLAN without affecting the performance of the network.
  • When you need to support a heterogeneous network: VLANs can be used to support a heterogeneous network, which means that you can have a network that includes devices from different vendors and operating systems. This is because each VLAN can be configured to use different protocols and settings, which means that you can have a network that is compatible with all of your devices.
Subnetting is another way to create logical networks, but it has some limitations. For example, subnetting can only be used to create networks that are based on IP addresses. This means that you cannot use subnetting to create networks that are based on other criteria, such as department or location. Additionally, subnetting can be difficult to manage, especially if you have a large network. VLANs are a more flexible and scalable way to create logical networks. They can be used to create networks that are based on any criteria, and they are easier to manage than subnetting. For these reasons, VLANs are often the preferred way to create logical networks in large organizations. Here is a table that summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of VLANs and subnetting:
Feature VLAN Subnetting
Flexibility More flexible Less flexible
Scalability More scalable Less scalable
Management Easier to manage More difficult to manage
Security Can be more secure Can be less secure
Performance Can be more performant Can be less performant
Overall, VLANs are a more flexible and scalable way to create logical networks than subnetting. They are also easier to manage and can be more secure. However, subnetting can be less expensive and may be more performant in some cases.
Sample Answer here are some situations where you would create logical networks with VLANs rather than subnetting:
  • When you need to isolate traffic between different departments: VLANs can be used to isolate traffic between different departments, which can help to improve security and performance. For example, you could create a VLAN for the accounting department, a VLAN for the marketing department, and a VLAN for the IT department. This would allow each department to have its own network, which would prevent traffic from one department from interfering with traffic from another department.