Network Segmentation VLAN vs Subnet
Imagine you were at a party, and everyone was talking over each other. You desperately want to discuss something important, but all the noise is drowning out your voice. How do you make yourself heard? You need to create a group of like-minded individuals and set up your conversation away from everyone else.
In a similar way, networks can get crowded and noisy too. One way to overcome this is by segmenting the network. There are two main ways to do this – VLANs and subnets. In this blog post, we'll compare VLANs and subnets to see which one is better suited to the task of network segmentation.
VLAN
VLAN or Virtual Local Area Network allows you to segment a physical network into multiple logical networks. Instead of having all devices on the same network segment, devices can be grouped together based on logical function, irrespective of where they are physically located. VLANs are created in software, and as a result, are more flexible than physical networks. They can be instantly added, removed, or re-configured without the need for physical cabling changes.
VLANs use tags to identify traffic belonging to each network segment. The tags are added to each data packet, indicating to the receiving device which VLAN it belongs to. Tags help to prevent VLAN jumping, which is when a device from one VLAN can access another without authorization.
Subnet
A subnet is a way of breaking a large network into smaller parts. Subnets are created by assigning a range of IP addresses within a larger network to a smaller local network. This allows devices within the smaller network to talk to each other directly without the need to communicate with the larger network.
Subnets help to reduce network traffic and can increase network security by limiting the number of devices that can communicate with each other. Subnets are widely used in large enterprise networks and data centers.
VLAN vs Subnet
To compare VLANs and subnets, let's take a look at some common considerations:
Number of devices
VLANs are better suited for networks with a large number of devices that need to be segmented. Subnets can be used for smaller networks with fewer devices.
Security
Both VLANs and subnets help to improve network security, but VLANs are more secure as they prevent unauthorized access by segregating network traffic using tags.
Network administration
VLANs are easier to administer as they are created in software and can be managed using management tools. Subnets require more manual configuration and are harder to manage.
Performance
Subnets are better suited when performance is a critical factor, as the extra layer of tagging in VLANs can add some overhead to network traffic.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner when it comes to choosing between VLANs and subnets. Both methods of network segmentation have their strengths and limitations. When choosing between the two, consider the size of your network, security, administration, and performance requirements.
Remember, network segmentation is like a party – you want to separate the noisy people and those who share similar interests. With VLANs and subnets, you can do the same with your network traffic, making your network more secure and efficient.