A Virtual LAN, or VLAN, is a network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire even though they may be physically located on different segments of a LAN. You set up VLANs by configuring the Gateway software rather than hardware. This makes VLANs very flexible. An important advantage of VLANs is that when a computer is physically moved to another location, it can stay on the same VLAN without hardware reconfiguration. VLANs behave like separate and independent networks. The router will support up to 32 VLANS.

Please Note: If your router is currently running Netopia Enterprise Firmware version 8.0.10 and later, this technote is not applicable to you.

Related documents: CQG_146 VGX VLANs

Firmware Reference

• v7.4.2 and later -- Netopia 3300 Series

Before You Start

Browse into the Netopia's web interface at http://192.168.1.254 (if using the default IP setting). If your network has a different IP addressing scheme, modify this accordingly.

Login with the admin user name and password. Admin login is required to save changes. If you are unsure of this, contact your network administrator.

Once logged in, click on the Expert Mode link in the left-hand side menu (if that link is visible). In the Expert Mode Confirmation screen click on Ok to continue. This menu bar will be visible at the top of your screen if you are in Expert Mode.

Remember to click the button to save any entries. Hitting the back button without clicking will undo any changes.

Once you have completed your configuration, click on the symbol in your upper right hand corner to validate the changes. Then click on Save and Restart.

Configuration

1. In the upper menu bar, click on Configure.
2. Click on Advanced.
3. Under the Miscellaneous heading, click on VLAN.

   

4. When you click the VLAN link the VLANs page appears. If no VLANs are configured, the VLANs page displays no entries.
5. To create a VLAN, click on Add. The VLAN Entry page appears.



• VLAN ID - This must be a unique identifying number between 1 and 4095. In this example we will select the number 1.
• VLAN Name - A descriptive name for the VLAN. In this example we will make it the word WIRED.
• VLAN Protocol - This field is not editable; you can only associate ports with a VLAN.
• Admin Restricted - If you want to prevent administrative access to the Netopia Gateway from this VLAN, check the checkbox.
6. Click Submit once you've made your changes. The VLAN Port Configuration screens appears.



7. Port interfaces available for this VLAN are listed on the left hand screen. Displayed port interfaces vary depending on the kinds of physical ports on your Gateway, for example, Ethernet, USB and/or Wireless. Also, if you have a wireless unit and you have multiple wireless SSIDs defined, these may be displayed as well.



8. To enable any of them on this VLAN, select one, and click the Add button. Typically you will choose a physical port, such as Ethernet port or a wireless SSID, and make the port routable by specifying lan-uplink.
9. If you want to create more VLANs, click on the Advanced link (in the left-hand toolbar) and then the VLAN link in the resulting page, and repeat the process.
10. Once you have input all appropriate information, click on the symbol in your upper right hand corner to validate the changes.
11. Click on Save and Restart.
12. At this point the router will reboot.

Please Note: To make a set of VLANs non-routable, the lan-uplink port must be included in at least one VLAN. It must then be excluded from any VLANs that are non-routable. The VLANs that have this excluded will not only be prevented from accessing the router or getting out to the internet, they will not obtain an IP address through DHCP on the router. If you want to allow them these privileges the lan-uplink option will need to be added.

By default if the VCC1 option (in this case PPP over Ethernet VCC1) is not added to any VLAN, all users will be able to get out to the internet, unless of course the lan-uplink has been removed. If you add the VCC1 interface to a VLAN, only that VLAN will be able to get online, while the rest will be restricted.

Conclusion

You've now configured your Netopia Router for VLANs. Be sure to restart the router for these changes to take effect.