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VXLAN vs VLAN: Differences, Advantages & Disadvantages
Learn the core differences between VLAN and VXLAN
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Knowingly or unknowingly we make use of virtual servers, networks, desktops, storage, etc., in our daily lives to enjoy the convenience of cost-saving, enhanced features, and security.
In this guide, we will discuss VXLAN Vs VLAN networks, and understand which one is better than the other. Let us get right into the guide.
What is VLAN?
VLAN is an acronym for Virtual Local Area Network. As the name suggests, with VLAN you can create a virtual network in your local area for computers to connect and group together locally.
LAN can be used in an office, school, or building, which can come under a single network. VLAN is an extension of the Ethernet protocol with an extra header.
With that extra header, VLAN gains the ability to tag traffic with a number from 1 to 4094 (called VLAN ID). Each device connected in its respected VLAN ID will be securely separate and can be communicated over a firewall.
You can basically group multiple devices together using VLAN that frequently communicate with each other. For example, you can create a VLAN for the HR department, marketing team, and finance team, all of them having different VLAN IDs.
Some of the highlights of VLAN over LAN are that it is created by one or more LANs, its latency is less, it is cost-effective, the network packet is sent over to a specific broadcast domain, etc.
There are three types of VLAN or Virtual Local Area Network:
What is VXLAN?
VXLAN stands for Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network and is an extension of the VLAN. VXLAN is a tunneling technique that establishes a logical tunnel on the IP network between the source and destination and forwards the user-side packets through the tunnel.
It transmits layer 2 packets over Layer 3 network, which is ethernet over IP. VXLAN is used because of the limitation of VLAN where due to the 12-bit identifier you can only set up 4094 virtual networks.
Since VXLAN is a 24-bit identifier, you can set up around 16 million VXLAN IDs. The main purpose of VXLAN is to solve the issue of scalability.
Each physical server can set up multiple virtual servers with its own IP address and operating system. This lets you move a virtual machine from one physical server to another without affecting the user.
What are the differences between VLAN vs VXLAN?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of VXLAN and VLAN?
1. Advantages
2. Disadvantages
Verdict: VLAN vs VXLAN
The main advantage of using VXLAN over VLAN is that it allows you to extend the overlay of the Layer 2 domain to the Layer 3 underlay network.
This basically eliminates the STP avoiding the redundant paths and utilizes all available paths. So, using VXLAN can help maximize the performance of the data center and reduce costs, especially in large environments.
You can deploy VXLAN via three methods:
So, VXLAN has several benefits, one of the highlights being it allows you to change either network without the need to change the other network. Moreover, it lets you easily upgrade the virtual network by shifting the virtual machines to another server.
That is it from us in this guide. You should check out our guide that explains how you can easily resolve the problem where theVLAN ID is missing in Windows.
We also have a guide that lists some of thebest network switchesfor a small business, that are powerful, efficient, and lets you control your business the way you want.
Feel free to let us know in the comments below if you were able to understand the differences between VLAN vs VXLAN by reading this guide or not.
Sagar Naresh
Sagar is a web developer and technology journalist. Currently associated with WindowsReport and SamMobile. When not writing, he is either at the gym sweating it out or playing country music on his guitar.
He is an avid traveler and has been to 15 countries, going to more places soon. TRAVEL and WORK is his mantra for a peaceful life.
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