VLAN

Virtual Local Area Network

In plain language

A way to split one physical network into separate private networks that cannot see each other.

The metaphor

Like putting dividing walls inside one open-plan floor: everyone shares the building, yet each team has its own room.

Going deeper

How it works

The switch tags traffic so each group stays in its own lane.
Common splits are staff, guests, phones, cameras and payment equipment.
Traffic crosses between lanes only where a rule allows it.
It limits how far an infected device can reach.

What can go wrong (example scenario)

A café put its card terminal and guest Wi-Fi on one network. A customer's infected phone scanned the network and found the card terminal's management page.

How WILDCARD handles it

Network covers the managed switch and firewall where these separations are set up.

In practice

A clinic separates patient Wi-Fi from the practice network.
A retailer isolates the point-of-sale system from everything else.
An office puts security cameras on their own lane.

A question owners ask

Do I need VLANs with only eight people?

If guests, a card terminal or cameras share your network, yes. Without them, the cheapest device sets the security of the whole office.

Where WILDCARD handles this

Network

Firewall managed and monitored
Switches kept current
On-prem Active Directory auth

Start with Network

Related terms

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