Tag: VLAN

Why You Should Connect Your Smart Devices to a Separate WiFi Network

In the era of smart homes and interconnected devices, transforming a mundane living space into a technological haven is easier than ever. Smart speakers, thermostats, and robotic vacuum cleaners offer convenience and efficiency. However, with the increasing number of devices in our homes, it’s crucial to consider the potential drawbacks, particularly concerning security and network performance. One effective solution is to connect your smart devices to a separate WiFi network. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this recommendation and the benefits it brings to users.

Enhanced Security Precautions

The foremost reason to connect smart home devices to a separate network is security. While smart devices provide numerous advantages, they can also pose significant risks if not adequately protected. Instances of hackers gaining control over baby-monitoring cameras or smart speakers have been reported, leading to privacy breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information. By isolating smart devices on a separate network, users create an additional layer of protection, minimizing the potential impact of security breaches on personal computers and laptops.

Isolate Devices from the Rest of Your Network

Simply creating a separate SSID for your smart devices is not enough. Using VLANs to isolate your smart devices from the rest of your network is advised for further protection. This means devices cannot communicate with devices on separate networks. It ensures that if something affects the smart devices, it has less of an opportunity to affect your personal devices. VLANs can be set up for both wired and wireless devices, giving you the flexibility to protect any connection on your network. 

Protection Against Digital Intruders

Digital invaders can exploit seemingly harmless smart devices to wreak havoc. Imagine a scenario where a skilled hacker gains control of a smart speaker, leading to unauthorized access or even a denial-of-service attack on connected devices. By segregating smart devices from personal networks, users reduce the risk of such incidents and safeguard their valuable information from falling into the wrong hands.

Reduced Network Congestion

As the number of smart devices in homes continues to rise, so does the risk of network congestion. A single individual might have a handful of devices, but those committed to creating a smart home could easily have over ten. When too many devices share the same network, it leads to low bandwidth and slow internet speeds. This is particularly problematic when using devices that operate on a 2.4GHz network, which supports a limited number of channels. Connecting smart devices to a separate network ensures that they don’t compete for bandwidth with personal computers, laptops, and smartphones, resulting in a smoother and more responsive network.

Optimized Performance for Smart Devices

Smart devices often rely on a stable and fast internet connection for optimal performance. By dedicating a separate network to these devices, users ensure that their smart speakers, thermostats, and other gadgets operate seamlessly without interruptions caused by network congestion. This can significantly enhance the overall user experience, making smart homes more efficient and enjoyable.

By 5G , , , , , ,

What is VLAN Tagging and How is it Used?

VLAN tagging, sometimes referred to as Ethernet tagging, is a mechanism used in computer networks. It identifies and segregates network traffic into different virtual local area networks (VLANs). By implementing tagging, network administrators can efficiently manage and control network traffic, improve security, and optimize network performance. In this article, we will delve into the concepts of tagged Ethernet frames and explore various use case examples.

Tagged Ethernet Frames

Tagged Ethernet frames contain additional information, known as VLAN tags, which help distinguish and route network traffic. The VLAN tag is inserted into the Ethernet frame’s header, allowing network switches to identify the VLAN to which the frame belongs. This tagging process involves adding a VLAN tag that includes a VLAN identifier (VID), along with other control information.

In a tagged VLAN environment, network switches handle VLAN-tagged frames by examining the VLAN tag and directing the traffic accordingly. This enables network administrators to create logical network segments, even within a physical network infrastructure. Each VLAN represents a separate broadcast domain, enhancing network security and reducing network congestion.

Untagged Ethernet Frames

In contrast to tagged frames, untagged Ethernet frames lack VLAN tags. They are typically associated with the default VLAN, which carries untagged traffic. When a network switch receives an untagged frame, it treats it as belonging to the default VLAN unless otherwise configured. Untagged frames are typically used for devices that are unaware of VLANs or belong to a VLAN with no tagging support.

Why Use VLAN Tagging?

One of the primary reasons for VLAN tagging is traffic segmentation. By creating separate VLANs for different user groups, users can ensure that each group’s network traffic remains isolated. This also allows users to strengthen network security. By placing specific resources, such confidential information, in a separate VLAN, users can restrict access to only authorized users. This isolation helps protect against unauthorized access and potential attacks from compromised devices within the network.

VLAN tagging simplifies network management by providing logical grouping and administration of network resources. Network administrators can easily configure and manage VLANs, apply consistent security policies, and monitor network traffic within each VLAN separately. This simplification facilitates troubleshooting, improves network efficiency, and reduces the overall complexity of network administration. It also allows for easy application of features such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies, which can ensure a more consistent and reliable user experience.

Tagging offers flexibility and scalability in network design too. Users can easily add or remove devices from specific VLANs without affecting the entire network. This flexibility is particularly useful in dynamic environments where devices or users frequently change locations or departments.

Use Case Examples

  • Departmental or Device Segmentation: In an enterprise setting, different departments such as HR, Finance, and IT may require separate network segments for security and performance reasons. In home environments, users may want to put less secure IoT devices, for example, on a separate network. By using tagged Ethernet frames, network administrators can create VLANs for each department or device, ensuring traffic isolation and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • Guest Networks: In hospitality, education, or corporate environments, guest networks are often implemented to provide internet access while keeping guest traffic separate from the internal network. VLAN tagging allows network administrators to create a dedicated VLAN for guest traffic, ensuring privacy and preventing potential security breaches.
  • Voice over IP (VoIP): VoIP implementations can benefit from VLAN tagging by prioritizing voice traffic and segregating it from other data traffic. By assigning voice traffic to a specific VLAN and applying Quality of Service (QoS) policies, network administrators can ensure reliable and high-quality voice communication.
  • Data Center Virtualization: Virtualization technologies, such as VMware or Hyper-V, rely heavily on VLAN tagging to isolate virtual machines (VMs) from each other and the physical network. Each VM can be assigned to a specific VLAN, enabling secure and efficient communication between VMs and reducing broadcast traffic.
  • Wireless Networks: In WiFi deployments, VLAN tagging allows for the separation of wireless traffic into different VLANs. This enables network administrators to provide different levels of access and security for various user groups, such as employees, guests, and contractors, all sharing the same wireless infrastructure.

Harnessing the Power of VLAN Tagging

VLAN tagging is a powerful tool that offers numerous advantages for network management. By utilizing VLAN tagging, users can achieve traffic segmentation, enhance security, optimize network performance, simplify administration, and enable flexibility in network design. It applies to any user looking to improve security, achieve better performance, or streamline network management. VLAN tagging truly provides users with a versatile solution for efficient and secure network operations.

By 5G , , , ,

Tech Tip: How to Use VLANs to Secure Your Router Network

IoT devices – such as cameras, smart thermostats & doorbells – can generally be less secure than most network attached devices (i.e. computers, network drives, servers, etc). Still, they require Internet service to operate and allow you remote access for control and monitoring. In effort to better secure these devices from the rest of your network, this is where creating a “VLAN” can help. This stands for “Virtual Local Area Network.” This is much like creating a Guest WiFi network on your router, so it can be done on just about any router including Sierra Wireless, CradlePoint, Peplink and Digi devices. 

Check out our video on how to create a VLAN for IoT security here! 

For more videos like this, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

By 5G , , , , , , , , , , , ,