Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) are two very different technologies that are often confused with one another.
A local area network, or LAN, is a group that is in the same area. When one user broadcasts data on the LAN, all users on the LAN receive the transmission.
However, LAN has a problem: if two people send data simultaneously, a collision will occur, and the transmitted information will be lost.
The area where the information is transmitted is called the broadcast domain, but everyone in the local area network must be in the same area.
Many corporations seek ways to extend their networks online as internet technology becomes more popular. The first internal websites were intranets, which were designed to be used by companies’ employees.
Nowadays, businesses are creating their own virtual private network or virtual local area network to accommodate employees who work remotely and offices in other locations.
VPNs (like NordVPN) connect authorized users to corporate resources, and VLANs connect geographically separate devices.
Are you wondering what the difference is between a VLAN and VPN, or if you should use one over the other?
If so, this blog will help explain key distinctions between the two technologies, including cost, security, and usability.
Comparison Table Between VLAN and VPN
VLAN | VPN |
---|---|
A virtual local area network (VLAN) can be used to group workstations that are not located within the same physical location but are in the same broadcast domain. | A VPN is a great way for companies to increase productivity by allowing remote access to their network. |
A VLAN is a subcategory of a virtual private network. | A virtual private network is a technology that develops a virtual tunnel for safe and secure data transmission over the internet. |
The VLAN is usually used when it is necessary for a person to connect with someone who cannot be connected from outside the VLAN. It requires a special permission before access. | A VPN is used to communicate securely in an unsecured environment. |
A VLAN is a virtual network that allows you to logically segregate networks without using multiple switches. | A VPN can be used to connect two points in a secure and encrypted tunnel, protecting data from prying eyes. |
A virtual local area network (VLAN) does not use any encryption, but it is used to divide your network into different parts for security and administration purposes. | A VPN guarantees that the data cannot be accessed by anyone in the network, for no one can read the packets and get to know the content of data packets. |
Businesses can use a VLAN to group devices across multiple physical locations into one broadcast domain. | A virtual private network is a safe way to transmit data between two offices of one firm, or between different offices of separate businesses. It can also be used by individuals for their own private purposes. |
A VLAN reduces the need for routers and router deployment, thereby reducing costs. | A VPN improves the overall efficiency of a network by allowing users to access resources that they would not be able to access without one. |
A VLAN is a virtual local area network that connects two devices, even if one of the systems can't establish an external connection. This can be accomplished by assigning the system special permission before granting access. | Virtual private networks are useful for securing online activity in insecure online environments. |
What is VLAN?
VLAN is short for Virtual LAN. A virtual LAN is a group of computers in a network that appear to be on the same LAN but may be physically located on different networks. This allows for easier management and security of these computers.
A VLAN network defines broadcast domains in a Layer 2 network. A broadcast domain is the group of all devices performed to receive broadcast frames originating from any other system within the set. It is bounded by routers since routers do not forward broadcast frames.
When a local area network is divided into segments using a switch, with each port serving a small number of network nodes, the chances of collision reduces.
In addition, the devices that usually communicate with one another are placed in one segment so that the requirements for forwarding the data packets to other ports get reduced.
In some situations, machines that need very high bandwidth are connected directly to a switch port, thus enabling them to have the complete bandwidth of one segment dedicated to them.
VLANs are created by separating users into groups, called VLANs (virtual local area networks). Each group has its own set of rules and restrictions, including:
- Access to network resources and services
- User authentication methods
- Access control lists (ACLs).
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
You can organize your devices into groups based on their functions rather than where they are located. | In a VLAN environment, packets can leak from one VLAN to other VLANs. |
Easily solves broadcast problem. | An injected packet may lead to a cyber-attack by opening a computer system to malicious software. |
It reduces the size of broadcast domains. | One threat in one system can spread to other systems via the Internet—and virus-infected computers can propagate viruses through entire logical networks. |
It lets you add an extra layer of security. | You will need an additional router in order to manage the workload in large networks. |
It also helps you to geographically structure your network. | A VLAN cannot be used to forward network traffic between VLANs. |
What is VPN?
A virtual private network is a corporate network built around the internet’s communication infrastructure.
Since the internet is a free medium where internet traffic is prone to interception or modification, security problems play an important role in implementing a VPN, unlike the privacy provided by dedicated leader circuits.
However, a VPN (NordVPN) is highly cost-effective, as dedicated lines are needed only to connect the corporate network to an internet service provider.
Businesses worried about the security and safety of their information take a VPN connection to share the information and other network resources with people located in remote areas.
A virtual private network connection reduces a business’s network cost and removes the need for a leased line to connect the business’s network in various locations.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Offers high-level of security through encryption. | Some websites block connections from specific countries or IP addresses (like Netflix). |
Ensures confidentiality and privacy | Dropped Connections |
Eliminates censorship restrictions | Slow Connection Speeds |
Allows to improve the overall efficiency of a network | Some VPNs don't work with Netflix |
Allows anonymous file sharing | VPN Blocking Software Exists |
Do you need VLAN with VPN?
The answer to the question of whether or not you need VLAN with VPN is a resounding “yes.”
So what does this mean for you?
Suppose you need VLAN functionality AND have remote workers who need access to internal resources then yes. In that case, you will need VLAN functionality with VPN functionality because these two technologies are inherently tied together!
For example, if you have a server in Chicago that handles payroll and accounting data and another server in New York that manages employee information, you could create two separate VLANs with VPN connections between them so that only authorized employees in Chicago can access payroll and accounting data while only authorized employees in New York can view employee information.
Frequesntly Asked Questions
A VPN is a technology that creates a virtual tunnel for secure data transmission over the internet. A VPN operates in an insecure online environment. A VLAN is a subcategory of VPN and is usually used to connect two devices when one cannot establish an external connection.
A VLAN is helpful for organizational use because it can segment a more extensive network into smaller segments. It can limit user access to a specific VLAN, allowing only authorized users to access networks with highly sensitive data.
VLANs offer several benefits such as ease of administration, confinement of broadcast domains, reduced broadcast traffic, and enforcement of security policies.
Compared to LANs, VLANs have the benefit of reducing network traffic and collisions and being more efficient. Moreover, a VLAN can also bring added security.
Conclusion
Both VPN and VLAN may be perfect solutions to meet your demands. It all depends on the functionality and the level of security you need to have.
Further, VLAN and VPN are extended communication across multiple business choices with secured and fast connections. Businesses looking for smaller networks over their existing networks and needing to safely and securely access remote company networks can use VPN and VLAN.
VLAN and VPN have different functions and helps in managing the internet connection and offering a secure environment for data transfer.