Stage 2 · Lesson 2 of 8
VLANs and access ports
A (virtual ) splits one , or a whole campus of switches, into separate Layer 2 networks. Each VLAN is its own and normally its own IP , so staff, guests, servers and phones can be kept apart without separate hardware.
An access port belongs to one data VLAN; a phone port can also carry a voice VLAN, so the phone and the PC behind it land in different networks. Create VLANs with names, assign ports, and check with show vlan brief. A good habit from day one: put unused ports in an unused VLAN and shut them down.
Common trapleaving everything in VLAN 1, the default, where user traffic, management traffic and any stranger who plugs in all share one network.
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Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- VideoFreeJeremy's IT Lab: CCNA 200-301 Complete Course
Jeremy's IT Lab · Beginner
The VLAN, spanning tree and EtherChannel days, each with a Packet Tracer lab to do straight after
- PlatformFreeCisco Networking Academy
Cisco · Beginner
The switching and VLAN modules of the CCNA courses, if your university or institute runs them