EDUCBA

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Explore
    • Lifetime Membership
    • All in One Bundles
    • Fresh Entries
    • Finance
    • Data Science
    • Programming and Dev
    • Excel
    • Marketing
    • HR
    • PDP
    • VFX and Design
    • Project Management
    • Exam Prep
    • All Courses
  • Blog
  • Enterprise
  • Free Courses
  • Log in
  • Sign up
Home Software Development Software Development Tutorials Top Differences Tutorial VLAN vs LAN

VLAN vs LAN

Priya Pedamkar
Article byPriya Pedamkar

VLAN-vs-LAN

Difference Between VLAN vs LAN

LAN is a set of network devices that use connected device communication. Similarly, VLAN is a type of LAN that increases flat LAN capabilities. There are significant differences between LAN and VLAN; for example, the LAN operates in a single domain, whereas VLAN works in multiple domains. Regardless of their physical location, VLAN can combine the terminal with an identical requirement that is not possible in the case of LAN. In order to avoid congestion and load, the networks are split into workstations within a LAN. LAN’s previously basic capacity is reduced and causes network congestion. LAN build with hubs, switches or routers, whereas Virtual LAN can only be built with switches or bridges.

Head to Head Comparison Between VLAN vs LAN(Infographics)

Below are the Top 10 Difference between VLAN vs LAN

Start Your Free Software Development Course

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

VLAN-vs-LAN-info

 

Key Difference Between VLAN vs LAN

The key differences between VLAN vs LAN are as follows:

  • LAN stands for LOCAL area network, whereas VLAN stands for Virtual local area network
  • Setting a LAN is a costly arrangement, whereas VLAN is an effective management strategy at comparatively lesser investment.
  • Resource transmission in term of data, software, and hardware is high in LAN compared to the slow latency of VLAN.
  • In LAN setup arrangement, we generally use hubs, routers, and switches, whereas, in VLAN, we generally use bridges and switch.
  • Packets are a way to exchange our information, taking of LAN the packet are introduced to every single device, whereas in VLAN, the packets are sent to separate and specific broadcast domains.
  • LAN networks are less efficient than VLAN
  • In LAN all the configuration has redone in one single PC whereas in VLAN the configuration is done in both the switch and PC.
  • In LAN, a user cannot configure ports available in switches, whereas, in VLAN, the configuration is done at each port available in a switch.
  • The performance graph for LAN is less in comparison to VLAN.
  • LAN needs more administration network setup than VLAN; in VLAN, the hierarchy has already been defined as per the changing need, but for LAN, a user has to regularly access data or information.
  • In LAN, the data transmission is not safe in comparison to the VLAN setup.
  • LAN protocols like token rings and FDDI are used in LAN standard, whereas, in VLAN, special protocols like ISL (inter-switch link) and VTP (VPN trunk protocol) are employed.
  • With switches, the VLAN offers better and enhanced traffic management and reduces latency which is comparatively high for LAN.
  • We have two hosts, namely 1 & 2 in one department and host 3 and 4 in some other department. With users working on LAN setup, they have only two choices for establishing the connection – either all devices are connected together on the same LAN (this scenario works only if we assume that no two user groups will ever need information from another group) or different subgroups can have separate setup.
  • For both, these cases are not a good practice in today’s world as one (former) will have multiple security-related issues, and the later will become expensive quickly. Whereas with a VLAN arrangement, we get an effective way to manage these issues – we can group together the 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 separate; by doing this, the traffic will be kept isolated on the switch. Plz, refer to the below image.

VLAN arrangement

VLAN vs LAN Comparison Table

Given below are the major comparison between VLAN vs LAN:

Basis of Comparison VLAN LAN
Architecture Diagram VLAN LAN
Architecture diagram explanation VLAN has multiple broadcast domain. The LAN has a single broadcast domain.
Existence VLAN came into existence in 2003. LAN technology became a reality in the late 1970s.
Technologies
The VLAN network technologies are:
  • Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
  • Fibre distributed data interface (FDDI)
  • Ethernets
  • Hypersockets
  • InfiniBand.
Let us see what all technologies LAN offers its users:
  • Ethernet, which speeds up to 10MBPS speed
  • Fast Ethernet, which speeds up to 100 MBPS speed
  • Giga Ethernet can speed up to 1000 Mbits/seconds.
Design
The design that supports VLAN is IEEE 802 1Q (initially), and then there were several changes like
  • Cisco inter-switch link
  • Cisco VLAN trunking protocol
  • VLAN registration protocols.
There has been a phenomenal change in LAN technology from the time it was first introduced:
Early Ethernet were 10BASE 5 and 10BASE2 with co-axial cables then came the twisted pair and further to 10BASET and the latest edition is the optical fiber.
Network protocols The VLAN use standard protocols comprise of ISP and VTP. They use the standard Ethernet protocols such as token rings and FDDI.
Software configuration  A user needs to know multiple commands for tagging in order to set up and configure VLAN. There is no such software information needed.
Area of operation A VLAN connection has a similar range of operation but with a fast and improved work network. A typical LAN connection ranges up to 2 miles or 2500 meters.
Pros and cons
Pros:
  • Better performance
  • Less network administration
  • Fast data transmission
  • Gives more ownership
Cons:
  • Port constraint
  • High risk of viruses if one is infected; others will too.
  • Equipment limitations for large areas network (need for more routers is always there).
Pros:
  • Low-cost, basic implementation
  • Easy control mechanism
  • Easy configuration
  • Easy to share
Cons:
  • Covers fewer areas
  • Security issue
  • It depends upon server functionality.
  • Infected to viruses easily.
Types
A VLAN has the following types:
  • Default VLAN
  • Data VLAN
  • Native VLAN
  • Management VLAN
  • Voice VLAN.
There are no such LAN types, but all (means LAN, WAN, MAN, Can, etc.) come under types of network.

Conclusion

With the article focuses on multiple aspects of LAN and VLAN, we can say that VLAN is an extension of LAN with the use of multiple broadcast domains. Both of them concerns about a lesser area, but the way of operation is completely different, which we can see from the comparison and differences section. There is a bunch of pros and cons associated with each, which depends upon the user needs.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to VLAN vs LAN. Here we discuss the difference between VLAN vs LAN and key differences, infographics, & a comparison table. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more–

  1. Mobile App vs Websites
  2. Weblogic vs Tomcat
  3. WebSockets vs WebRTC
  4. VLAN vs Subnet
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Excel VBA Bundle
500+ Hours of HD Videos
15 Learning Paths
120+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
Financial Analyst Masters Training Program
2000+ Hours of HD Videos
43 Learning Paths
550+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Data Science Bundle
2000+ Hour of HD Videos
80 Learning Paths
400+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
ADVERTISEMENT
All in One Software Development Bundle
5000+ Hours of HD Videos
149 Learning Paths
1050+ Courses
Verifiable Certificate of Completion
Lifetime Access
Primary Sidebar
Footer
Follow us!
  • EDUCBA FacebookEDUCBA TwitterEDUCBA LinkedINEDUCBA Instagram
  • EDUCBA YoutubeEDUCBA CourseraEDUCBA Udemy
APPS
EDUCBA Android AppEDUCBA iOS App
Blog
  • Blog
  • Free Tutorials
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Log in
  • Blog as Guest
Courses
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Free Courses
  • Explore Programs
  • All Courses
  • All in One Bundles
  • Sign up
Email
  • [email protected]

ISO 10004:2018 & ISO 9001:2015 Certified

© 2023 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

Let’s Get Started

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

EDUCBA
Free Software Development Course

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

By continuing above step, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Loading . . .
Quiz
Question:

Answer:

Quiz Result
Total QuestionsCorrect AnswersWrong AnswersPercentage

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

🚀 Cyber Monday Reloaded Price Drop! All in One Universal Bundle (3700+ Courses) @ 🎁 90% OFF - Ends in ENROLL NOW