What are VLANs? -- the simplest explanation

The concept of VLANs explained simply and illustrated effectively showing you the purpose and functionality of VLANs.

This is the video version of the content of this article:

Did you like the illustrations and animations in this video? Most of them are available for download for free in the article above.

Want to learn how to Configure VLANs?

Want to see the Native VLAN in action?

Studying for a Networking certification like the Net+ or CCNA? If so, check out:

Think you understand VLANs? Test yourself against the VLAN Challenge:

What happens when there is a Native VLAN mismatch?

Want to learn Computer Networking?

=====
More free resources discussing Network Engineering and Network Security:

=====

00:00 - Topology Intro
00:24 - Splitting one Physical Switch into Virtual Switches
01:47 - Extending Virtual Switches to other Physical Switches
03:19 - Access Ports, Trunk Ports, Tagged Ports, Untagged Ports
04:46 - VLAN Tags and 802.1q
06:55 - Logical Topologies vs Physical Topologies
07:31 - Native VLAN
10:20 - Summary of what we've learned

Summary:

VLANs provide two major functions:
– Break up physical switches into virtual "mini switches“
– Extend the virtual "mini switch" to multiple physical switches

VLANs allow your Logical topology to be unconstrained by your Physical topology

Access Ports / Untagged Ports – ports which carry traffic for only ONE VLAN
Trunk Ports / Tagged Ports – ports which carry traffic for MULTIPLE VLANs

All frames traversing a Trunk port must be "tagged" so the receiving switch knows what VLAN to associate that traffic to.

802.1q - open standard for how to tag Layer 2 frames

Native VLAN – The one VLAN which traverses a Trunk/Tagged link without a VLAN tag

#vlans #networking #ccna

[VibeXplorer]

This video is instructional perfection. I have been looking for just this kind of video since I began studying for the CCNA. Clear, SIMPLE, and effective animated illustration combined with a concise explanation of the concepts and mechanisms. You have outdone all other paid and unpaid learning resources! The only thing missing from your channel is...more videos! Subscribed!

[xrZt]

This explanation is so simple and yet so concise and to the point. I also love the way you make a review after major section to reinforce the learning.
I'm not new to networking and have been in the industry for a while now but I can't help to admire the way you know how to dissect a complex topic into easy digestible chunks.
Absolutely awesome!

[EmmeryCheung]

One of the best explanations I've seen on youtube. Thanks! You're the only one who really goes through the Why/How/When rather than other people only explaining the What.

[ShiroToraSama]

I've watched several videos on VLANs and this is the most concise and helpful video that I've found. Thank for explaining the purposes of VLANs as well as Trunk and Access Ports. The way you transitioned between sections was also very intuitive and helpful.

[anjohn]

Just loggged in to post this: this is by far the best explanation of VLAN I found. It is clear, consice, and the animation is perfectly right on point! Great work, and thank you!

[mohammadnaeimi]

I am halfway through and stopped to say I already learnt more than what I've learned in 2 years in uni about VLANS plus trunk and access, thank you, sir.

[morphykg]

Amazing animations. Showing The physical and logical layers animated at the same time clarifies the concept so well. Thank you

[chrishandorf]

I watched at least 20 other videos on VLANs. This one finally explained how it works. It makes perfect sense now. Thank you.

[samkirubakaran]

The best ever video on VLAN so far. A classic example on how knowledge should be shared to educate others, not in complex way to confuse.

[scottspa]

Inter vlan trunking is possibly my favorite topic in CCNA. That and fhrp and link aggregation . Thank you for all of this. You do an amazing job of illustrating things I didn't know, that my professor assumed I did know.

[williamp]

Excellent presentation!!!

I already “knew” everything covered in this video, yet by the end it was like I was really understanding it for the first time.

Well done. 👍

[neharay]

This video is a fantastic presentation of the Vlan concept. I love the crystal clear, concise explanations along with the great animations. Indeed, a work of art.

[technicallyoutdoors]

you have literally clarified what other have never been able to and you did it in 10 minutes - thank you so much!! I completely understand now

[selimm]

I don't usually comment but i have to say, this is probably the best video out there about vlans. No weird analogies. no talking too much, and no useless stories... I also love how you made Native Vlans a piece of cake, literally it only took you about 2 min to make something so clear. However, i do have one question. If the native vlan was set to 50 (in your case), where would the traffic go, just get dropped?
You are literally the best! THanks man!

[phillipbarton]

Beautifully done explanation going through all of the important questions quickly without being confusing. The one question I had that you did not specifically address in the video (mismatched Native or Access ports between switches) was thoroughly explained in the article. Answering the two challenge questions on the article further clarified things for me. First time in my near 20 years in IT I actually think I understand VLANs.

[darkxiao]

Oh my god... this video is so good wth!!! It is so clearly explained and easy to understand.

I'm in a new IT role and I recently had a request to patch two ports and have those two ports added to two different VLANs on our switch. I thought to myself... "Why can't we just allow one port to access multiple VLANs?" Our Network Engineers basically said that was a big nono and this video helped me understand why that is!

[Christopher.dreamless]

This video made me feel so much better about delving deeper into IT. Literally I started smiling at the halfway point out of excitement... thank you. Subscribed and Bell

[vaidyabala]

Amazing explanation on complex topic of VLAN for network newbies. I read the articles and watched the video, consolidated multiple switches into one switch at home and simplified the network.

[lightninginmyhands]

Your instruction and graphics (and animation!) are superb.


If only the N+ study guide publishers leveraged someone like you.

[RoxusRemo]

Kinda knew what VLANs were for years but just watching this video it's all clicked first time. I have pretty bad ADHD but your style of teaching worked perfectly!