Home > Glossary > Certified Network Associate > VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)

📖 What is VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)?

A logical subset of a switch's ports that form a single broadcast domain. Devices in different VLANs cannot communicate directly without a Layer 3 device.

🥋 Sensei Says:

"A router or Layer 3 switch is always required for inter-VLAN communication, often implemented as 'Router on a Stick' for CCNA labs."

📚 Certification: Certified Network Associate (200-301)

🔑 What are the Key Concepts of VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)?

  • Segmentation of broadcast domains at Layer 2
  • Logical grouping of devices regardless of physical location
  • Improvement of network security and traffic management
  • Subnet-to-VLAN mapping best practices (typically 1:1)

🎯 How does VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) appear on the 200-301 Exam?

Troubleshooting connectivity issues where hosts are in different VLANs without a routing device.

Identifying the broadcast domain boundaries in a given network topology diagram.

Configuring Router-on-a-Stick to route traffic between two newly created VLANs.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't computers in different VLANs ping each other?

Because VLANs create separate broadcast domains, requiring a Layer 3 device like a router or Layer 3 switch to route traffic between them.


How many broadcast domains are created by a 24-port switch with 3 VLANs?

3 broadcast domains. Each VLAN represents its own separate broadcast domain.

Related Terms from Certified Network Associate

📝 Related Study Guides

Cisco CCNA 5 min read

Understanding the OSI Model: A CCNA Guide

The OSI model is a conceptual framework with 7 layers (Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical) that standardizes telecommunication functions.

Cisco CCNA 4 min read

TCP/IP vs OSI Model: Key Differences for CCNA

The OSI model has 7 layers used for theoretical understanding, while the TCP/IP model has 4 layers (Application, Transport, Internet, Network Access) and reflects protocols actually used on the internet.

Cisco CCNA 6 min read

IPv4 Addressing Basics: A Beginner's Guide

An IPv4 address is a 32-bit logical address written in dotted-decimal format, divided into a network portion and a host portion by a subnet mask.

🧠

Test Your Knowledge

Think you understand VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)? Put it to the test with our practice exam.

Try 10 Free Questions

⭐ 1,000 expert-curated questions available with Premium

Upgrade Premium