Do access layer switches still use VLANs

Each access switch (or stack) becomes a Layer 3 device, not just a Layer 2 island. End devices are still in VLANs, but the default gateway SVI lives on the access switch, not on the core. Routing prot...

Industry
Dec 15, 2025

Inter-VLAN Routing: Configuration Examples

In some cases, administrators must completely isolate VLANs and disallow any traffic between them. However, it is usually necessary to allow some traffic to flow

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Industry
Sep 12, 2025

The differences between managed and unmanaged

Unmanaged switches do not require IP addresses, as they focus solely on forwarding Ethernet frames and use the MAC address to determine how

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Industry
Aug 23, 2025

Understanding VLAN Interfaces: What They Are and

Besides the Router on a Stick, more advanced configurations can use Layer 3 switches, reducing the need for external routers and thus streamlining

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Industry
Nov 27, 2025

Consolidated Platform Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS

VLAN access control lists (ACLs) or VLAN maps access-control all packets (bridged and routed). You can use VLAN maps to filter traffic between

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Industry
Oct 04, 2025

What is the Cisco Three-Layered Hierarchical Model?

Layer 3 and L2 vlans are implemented at the distribution layer and the vlans are propagated to the appropriate access layer devices. As and when required, complex ACLs, prefix lists, QOS, L3

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Industry
Jul 15, 2025

What is VLAN and how it works

A VLAN is a virtual LAN, a subgroup within a local network. VLANs make it easy for network administrators to separate a single switched network into multiple groups to match the functional and

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Industry
Feb 12, 2026

Data Center Access Layer Design

The VLANs are configured on the access layer uplink 802.1Q trunks and are extended between the aggregation layer switches (note the dashed line designating the Layer 2 and Layer 3 boundaries).

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Industry
Aug 10, 2025

Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 Switch: Which One Do You Need?

In addition to knowing when to choose Layer 2 or Layer 3 switches, it''s also important to understand their roles in broader network environments.

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Industry
Oct 09, 2025

What does a layer 3 access design look like? : r/networking

I often hear it''s advantageous to utilize layer 3 at the access layer devices to avoid having broadcasts spanning the network and not having to deal with huge STP topologies. But what exactly does this

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Industry
Jun 12, 2026

Understanding the Differences Between Layer 2 and

Layer 3 switches can connect different VLANs, and offer more security features than Layer 2 switches. Other functions, such as Quality of Service (QoS), allow for the

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Industry
Nov 26, 2025

What is a VLAN (Virtual LAN)?

A VLAN, like the LAN it sits atop, operates at Layer 2 of the network, the Ethernet level. VLANs partition a single switched network into a set of

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Industry
Oct 24, 2025

What is a VLAN? Secure your network with virtual LANs

Set up VLAN specifications: Using the switch''s management interface, create VLANs and assign names to them for easier management. Note

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Industry
Jun 22, 2026

Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Switch: Key Differences and Use Cases

In practice, Layer 2 switches fit access-layer endpoint connectivity, while Layer 3 switches are better for inter-VLAN routing, segmentation, and

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Industry
May 20, 2026

What Is a VLAN? Definition, Core Components

What is a VLAN, how do VLANs work, and where do they fit into modern security strategies? Uncover everything you need to know about how

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Industry
Aug 02, 2025

Switching Architectures: VLANs

• This means that switches from different vendors are able to exchange VLAN traffic. Traffic between VLANs must now go through a router. VLANs! Cisco''s Nexus switches run NX-OS not IOS and are

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Industry
Oct 02, 2025

Configure Inter-VLAN Routing with Catalyst Switches

This step is important because this configuration does not use routing protocols. If you have two L3 switches in your network, you can connect the

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Industry
Mar 19, 2026

Layer 2 vs Layer 3 in Access Networks: When It''s Time

Each access switch (or stack) becomes a Layer 3 device, not just a Layer 2 island. End devices are still in VLANs, but the default gateway SVI lives

Read More 7,348
Industry
May 07, 2026

The Future of VLANs: Are They Still Relevant in 2026?

VXLANs offer better scalability and support for cloud-based architectures, but VLANs still provide simple, effective networking technologies

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Industry
Dec 20, 2025

Why Devices on Different VLANs but on the Same

A common confusion arises when devices are on different VLANs but share the same IP subnet: they can''t communicate with each other. Learn why

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Industry
Nov 02, 2025

What is VLAN? | Understanding Virtual LANs in Networking

Discover what is VLAN, how it works, its types, configurations, and benefits in networking. Learn how VLANs enhance security and efficiency.

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Industry
Nov 26, 2025

UniFi Guides: Setup, Gateways, VLANs, VPNs, Wi-Fi, and UniFi Protect

VLANs, firewall rules, and multiple Wi-Fi networks are all useful, but they also add more ways to break things if you do them too early. Why I Use UniFi The biggest reason I use UniFi is usability. I can

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Industry
Dec 09, 2025

Best practice for controlling inter-VLAN access

When you''re implementing intervlan access control on a L3 switch, the most efective and manageable option is to use routed ACLs ''RACL'' applied to SVIs. These operate at L3 and allow you

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Industry
Mar 10, 2026

Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) – Basics about Network

The main aim of this post is to give you a comprehensive guide and introduction about the basics how VLANs, inter-VLAN routing and VLAN Access control lists (ACLs) will work and how

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