How to Configure VLAN in Linux
VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are used to segment network traffic within a switch or router, allowing for better network performance, security, and management. In this article, we will guide you on how to configure VLAN in Linux.
Before we get started, make sure you have the necessary permissions to configure VLANs on your Linux system. You will also need to have the VLAN package installed.
Step 1: Install VLAN Package
To begin, you’ll need to install the VLAN package if it is not already installed on your system. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt-get install vlan
Step 2: Load the 8021q Module
Next, you’ll need to load the 8021q module to enable support for VLANs in the Linux kernel. To do this, run the following command:
modprobe 8021q
Step 3: Create a VLAN Interface
Now that the VLAN package is installed and the 8021q module is loaded, you can create a VLAN interface. To create a VLAN interface with VLAN ID 10 on the eth0 interface, use the following command:
vconfig add eth0 10
This command creates a virtual VLAN interface named eth0.10 with VLAN ID 10 on the eth0 physical interface.
Step 4: Assign an IP Address to the VLAN Interface
Once the VLAN interface is created, you can assign an IP address to it using the following command:
ifconfig eth0.10 192.168.1.2 netmask 255.255.255.0 up
This command assigns the IP address 192.168.1.2 with a netmask of 255.255.255.0 to the eth0.10 VLAN interface and brings the interface up.
Step 5: Verify the VLAN Configuration
To verify that the VLAN configuration is correct, you can use the following command to display information about the VLAN interfaces on your system:
cat /proc/net/vlan/config
This command will show you the VLAN interfaces that are currently configured on your system.
Step 6: Persistent VLAN Configuration
If you want the VLAN configuration to persist across reboots, you’ll need to make changes to the network configuration files on your system. For example, in Ubuntu, you can edit the /etc/network/interfaces file and add the following lines:
auto eth0.10
iface eth0.10 inet static
address 192.168.1.2
netmask 255.255.255.0
Conclusion
Configuring VLANs in Linux can help you better manage your network traffic and improve security. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily configure VLANs on your Linux system and take advantage of the benefits they offer.