How to configure VLAN on a Cisco Switch?

VLAN stands for virtual LAN and technically we can say, a VLAN is a broadcast domain created by switch. When managing a switch, the management domain is always VLAN 1, the default VLAN. All ports of switch are assigned to VLAN 1 by default.  VLAN increase the performance of a network because it divide a network logically in different parts and limit the broadcasts.

Any member of VLAN 2 can not talk with any member of VLAN 3 without router but all the members of VLAN 2 and VLAN 3 can talk with other members within their VLANs.

This Lab will also help how VLANs can be used to separate traffic and reduce broadcast domains. 

To create a VLAN, first enter global configuration mode to run the following commands.

 Configuration to create VLAN 2 

SwitchA(config)#configure terminal               (enter in global configuration mode) 

SwitchA(config)#vlan 2                                        (defining the vlan 2) 

SwitchA(config)#vlan 2 name marketing       (assigning the name marketing to vlan 2)

SwitchA(config)#exit        (exit from vlan 2) 

Configuration to create VLAN 3 

SwitchA(config)#configure terminal                 (enter in global configuration mode) 

SwitchA(config)#vlan 3                                        (defining the vlan 3) 

SwitchA(config)#vlan 3 name management      (assigning the name management to vlan 3)

SwitchA(config)#exit        (exit from vlan 3)

 Now assigning the ports 2 and 3 to VLAN 2, it must be done from the interface mode. Enter the following commands to add port 2 and 3 to VLAN 2. 

SwitchA(config)#configure terminal                                 (enter in global configuration mode) 

SwitchA(config)#interface fastethernet 0/2                     (select the Ethernet 0 of port 2) 

SwitchA(config-if)#switchport access vlan 2                  (allot the membership of vlan 2)

SwitchA(config-if)#exit                                                        (exit from interface 2)

  

Now adding port 3 to VLAN 2 

SwitchA(config)#interface fastethernet 0/3                     (select the Ethernet 0 of port 3) 

SwitchA(config-if)#switchport access vlan 2                  (allot the membership of vlan 2)

SwitchA(config-if)#exit                                                        (exit from interface 3) 

Now assigning the ports 4 and 5 to VLAN 3, enter the following commands to add port 4 and 5 to VLAN 3. 

SwitchA(config)#configure terminal                                 (enter in global configuration mode) 

SwitchA(config)#interface fastethernet 0/4                     (select the Ethernet 0 of port 4) 

SwitchA(config-if)#switchport access vlan 3                  (allot the membership of vlan 3)

SwitchA(config-if)#exit                                                        (exit from interface 4) 

Now adding port 5 to VLAN 3 

SwitchA(config)#interface fastethernet 0/5                     (select the Ethernet 0 of port 5) 

SwitchA(config-if)#switchport access vlan 3                  (allot the membership of vlan 3)

SwitchA(config-if)#exit                                                        (exit from interface 5) 

To show the VLAN interface information, run the command show vlan.

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