Stepping into Networking : VLANs Made Simple!

Hi, I’ve decided to dive into the fascinating world of Networking — specifically CCNA-level concepts — as a stepping stone into cloud networking. Over the next few articles (probably 10 or more), I’ll be sharing my journey, breaking down the concepts, and exploring how they connect to cloud technologies. It’s an exciting adventure, and I’m here to make it simple and fun for you!

In this tutorial, we’re tackling VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) using Packet Tracer. Feel free to download Packet Tracer and follow along as we configure:

1. Sales, Marketing, and HR VLANs on a switch.
2. Router-on-a-stick for VLAN routing.
3. Layer 3 switch setup for inter-VLAN communication.

Lab Topology:

Here’s what we’ll build:

— Three PCs assigned to VLANs (VLAN 10, VLAN 20, VLAN 30).

— A Layer 2 switch configured with VLANs and access ports.

— A Layer 3 switch to handle inter-VLAN routing.

— A router-on-a-stick to demonstrate trunking.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Step 1: Configuring VLANs on the Switch

Let’s start by creating VLANs and assigning them to ports.

1. Create the VLANs: