Creating a Secure Network with VLANs: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a responsible network administrator, it's essential to take measures to protect your private network from potential hacking threats. One effective way to achieve this is by utilizing Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to segregate your sensitive data and applications from the rest of your network.

In this article, we'll explore how to set up two separate VLANs on your Netgear GS724TV4 managed layer 3 switch, ensuring that your private network remains isolated from your web server and email server.

Understanding VLANs

Before we dive into the setup process, let's quickly explain what VLANs are. A Virtual Local Area Network is a logical grouping of devices within a single network that share common characteristics or requirements. By creating separate VLANs for different segments of your network, you can apply specific security settings, prioritize traffic flow, and enhance overall network performance.

Setting Up Your Network

To create the desired separation between your private network and your web server and email server, we'll follow these steps:

* **ISP Fiber to Home**: Connect your ISP fiber to your home using a Deco X10 setup. Assign an IP address range of 101-802.1q tag for the internet VLAN. * **Unmanaged Layer 3 Switch**: Use an unmanaged layer 3 switch that provides connectivity to your Netgear GS724TV4 switch through two patch cables in ports 12 and 13. * **Netgear GS724TV4 Setup**: * Attach a screenshot of your setup for reference.

Now, let's outline the step-by-step process for setting up VLANs on your Netgear GS724TV4:

1. **Configure VLAN Creation**: Log in to your Netgear GS724TV4 switch and navigate to the VLAN configuration page. 2. **Create VLAN1 (Private Network)**: Create a new VLAN by clicking on "Add VLAN" and assigning it a unique VLAN ID (e.g., VLAN1). Set the VLAN mode to "Access" or "Trunk". 3. **Assign Ports**: Assign ports 1-12 to VLAN1, ensuring that these ports are untagged. 4. **Create VLAN2 (Server VLAN)**: Create another new VLAN by clicking on "Add VLAN" and assigning it a unique VLAN ID (e.g., VLAN100). Set the VLAN mode to "Trunk". 5. **Assign Ports**: Assign ports 13-24 to VLAN2, ensuring that these ports are also untagged. 6. **Configure Trunking**: Configure trunking on both VLANs by setting the port to "Trunk" and selecting the desired VLAN IDs for each trunk. 7. **Add Internet VLAN Tag**: Add a VLAN tag (802.1q) with an ID of 101 to the internet patch cable connected to ports 12 or 13.

Verifying VLAN Configuration

Once you've completed these steps, verify that your VLAN configuration is correct by checking the following:

* VLAN1 should have IP addresses assigned within the range of 10.0.1.0/24. * VLAN2 should have IP addresses assigned within the range of 10.0.100.0/24. * The internet patch cable should be connected to ports 12 or 13, and the VLAN tag with ID 101 should be applied.

By following these steps, you'll have successfully created two separate VLANs on your Netgear GS724TV4 switch, ensuring that your private network remains isolated from your web server and email server.