configuring-network-segmentation-with-vlans

name	configuring-network-segmentation-with-vlans
description	Designs and implements VLAN-based network segmentation on managed switches to isolate network zones, enforce access control between segments, and reduce the attack surface by limiting lateral movement paths in enterprise network environments.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	network-security
tags	["network-security","vlan","network-segmentation","switch-security","802.1q"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.IR-01","DE.CM-01","ID.AM-03","PR.DS-02"]

Configuring Network Segmentation with VLANs

When to Use

• Segmenting an enterprise network into isolated security zones (corporate, servers, DMZ, guest, IoT)
• Meeting compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2) that mandate network isolation for sensitive data
• Reducing blast radius of security incidents by preventing lateral movement between network segments
• Isolating high-risk devices (IoT, BYOD, legacy systems) from critical infrastructure
• Implementing defense-in-depth by combining VLANs with firewall rules and access control lists

Do not use VLANs as the sole security control without Layer 3 filtering, for isolating networks that require air-gapping, or without proper switch hardening against VLAN hopping attacks.

Prerequisites

• Managed switches supporting 802.1Q VLAN trunking (Cisco Catalyst, HP Aruba, Juniper EX, etc.)
• Layer 3 switch or firewall for inter-VLAN routing and access control
• Network design document specifying VLAN assignments, IP subnets, and traffic flow requirements
• Console or SSH access to switches with privileged configuration mode
• Understanding of 802.1Q trunking, STP, and inter-VLAN routing concepts

Workflow

Step 1: Design the VLAN Architecture

# Define VLANs based on security zones and function

VLAN Plan:
  VLAN 10  - CORPORATE    (10.10.10.0/24)  - Employee workstations
  VLAN 20  - SERVERS      (10.10.20.0/24)  - Internal servers
  VLAN 30  - DMZ          (10.10.30.0/24)  - Internet-facing servers
  VLAN 40  - GUEST        (10.10.40.0/24)  - Guest WiFi
  VLAN 50  - IOT          (10.10.50.0/24)  - IoT/OT devices
  VLAN 60  - VOIP         (10.10.60.0/24)  - VoIP phones
  VLAN 100 - MANAGEMENT   (10.10.100.0/24) - Switch/AP management
  VLAN 999 - QUARANTINE   (10.10.99.0/24)  - Isolated/compromised hosts
  VLAN 998 - NATIVE_UNUSED                  - Native VLAN (no traffic)

# Traffic flow matrix:
# CORPORATE -> SERVERS: Allowed (specific ports)
# CORPORATE -> DMZ: Allowed (HTTP/HTTPS only)
# CORPORATE -> GUEST: Denied
# CORPORATE -> IOT: Denied
# GUEST -> Any Internal: Denied
# IOT -> SERVERS: Allowed (specific ports to specific hosts only)
# DMZ -> SERVERS: Allowed (database ports only)
# MANAGEMENT -> All: Allowed (from management stations only)

Step 2: Configure VLANs on Cisco Catalyst Switch

! Enter configuration mode
enable
configure terminal

! Create VLANs
vlan 10
  name CORPORATE
  exit
vlan 20
  name SERVERS
  exit
vlan 30
  name DMZ
  exit
vlan 40
  name GUEST
  exit
vlan 50
  name IOT
  exit
vlan 60
  name VOIP
  exit
vlan 100
  name MANAGEMENT
  exit
vlan 998
  name NATIVE_UNUSED
  exit
vlan 999
  name QUARANTINE
  exit

! Configure access ports for workstations (VLAN 10)
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1-24
  switchport mode access
  switchport access vlan 10
  switchport nonegotiate
  spanning-tree portfast
  spanning-tree bpduguard enable
  no shutdown
  exit

! Configure access ports for servers (VLAN 20)
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/25-36
  switchport mode access
  switchport access vlan 20
  switchport nonegotiate
  spanning-tree portfast
  spanning-tree bpduguard enable
  no shutdown
  exit

! Configure trunk ports to other switches
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/48
  switchport mode trunk
  switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
  switchport trunk native vlan 998
  switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20,30,40,50,60,100
  switchport nonegotiate
  no shutdown
  exit

! Configure trunk to firewall/router
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/47
  switchport mode trunk
  switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q
  switchport trunk native vlan 998
  switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20,30,40,50,60,100
  switchport nonegotiate
  no shutdown
  exit

! Shutdown unused ports
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/37-46
  shutdown
  switchport mode access
  switchport access vlan 999
  exit