/configuring-network-segmentation-with-vlans

name: configuring-network-segmentation-with-vlans
description: 'Designs and implements VLAN-based (802.1Q) network segmentation on
  managed switches to isolate zones such as corporate, servers, DMZ, guest, and
  IoT, and to limit lateral movement paths. Use when segmenting an enterprise network
  into isolated security zones, meeting compliance mandates (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC
  2) for network isolation, or reducing blast radius from a security incident.

  '
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
mitre_attack:
- T1046
- T1040
- T1557.002
- T1021
- T1018

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

Step 3: Harden Switch Against VLAN Hopping

! Disable DTP on all ports (prevents switch spoofing)
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1-46
  switchport nonegotiate
  exit

! Set native VLAN to unused VLAN on all trunks
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/47-48
  switchport trunk native vlan 998
  exit

! Enable DHCP Snooping
ip dhcp snooping
ip dhcp snooping vlan 10,20,30,40,50,60
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/47
  ip dhcp snooping trust
  exit

! Enable Dynamic ARP Inspection
ip arp inspection vlan 10,20,30,40,50,60
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/47
  ip arp inspection trust
  exit

! Enable IP Source Guard (prevents IP spoofing)
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1-36
  ip verify source
  exit

! Enable Port Security
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1-24
  switchport port-security
  switchport port-security maximum 2
  switchport port-security violation restrict
  switchport port-security aging time 60
  exit

! Set VTP to transparent mode (prevents VTP attacks)
vtp mode transparent

! Enable BPDU Guard globally
spanning-tree portfast bpduguard default

! Enable Storm Control
interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1-36
  storm-control broadcast level 10
  storm-control multicast level 10
  storm-control action shutdown
  exit

Step 4: Configure Inter-VLAN Routing with ACLs

! On the Layer 3 switch or firewall, configure SVIs
interface Vlan10
  ip ad