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LAN vs VLAN: Key Differences Explained

This article compares LAN (Local Area Network) and VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network), highlighting the key differences between them.

What is a LAN?

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It refers to a network where devices (hosts) are connected on the same Ethernet switch using different ports.

LAN network

The common devices used in a LAN are hubs and switches.

Hubs: Hubs share data between computers using a broadcast address. The host sends a frame to the entire network and all ports of the switch. Only the intended host, as determined by the destination address, processes the frame, while others ignore it. This can lead to increased traffic on the switch.
Switches: Switches share data using unicast addresses, allowing two hosts to communicate directly within the same switch. Hosts not on the same switch can communicate through routers.

What is a VLAN?

VLAN stands for Virtual Local Area Network. It is also referred to as Virtual LAN.

VLAN network

A VLAN is configured on an Ethernet switch. Unlike a single LAN, multiple Virtual LANs can be implemented on a single switch. This is achieved by splitting and assigning a number of ports to different VLANs.

Broadcast, multicast, and other unknown destination traffic originating from one VLAN (e.g., VLAN-A) are limited to members of the same VLAN-A. The traffic doesn’t cross to other VLANs within the switch, which reduces the traffic load on the Ethernet switch.

LAN vs. VLAN: A Tabular Comparison

The following table highlights the similarities and differences between LAN and VLAN network types:

Features	LAN	VLAN
Full Form	Local Area Network	Virtual Local Area Network
Devices	Hubs and switches are used in LAN	Switches with VLAN tagging capabilities are used.
Coverage	Host (i.e., node) to host communication within the building	Host-to-Host Communication between buildings which are far away beyond LAN limit. This is possible as VLANs can span multiple switches in different premises.
Protocols	Normal Ethernet frame is used.	Uses protocols such as IEEE 802.1Q and VLAN Trunk protocol (VTP). These protocols help traffic to be routed to correct interfaces.
Ports to subnet mapping	Ports cannot be moved between different subnets	Ports can be moved between subnets easily on the same switch. Different VLANs on the same switch can have different numbers of ports.
Number of LAN/VLANs	One LAN consisting of multiple hosts on one switch	Many VLANs can coexist on the same Ethernet switch. Each VLAN will have a different number of ports.
Software configuration	Not needed	Configuration is needed for tagging in order to configure VLAN
Application	Sharing of common resources and interconnectivity between hosts	Same as mentioned in LAN. Additionally, extends LAN capabilities with easy configurability and less burden on the Ethernet switch.