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Network, Virtual Local Area Networks ( Vlans )

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In the past, companies were hampered by the cost, performance, and security issues that are associated with local area networks or LANs. LANs must be connected physically to switches which means that each LAN must have its own switch (prtl.uhcl.edu, 2016, para. 13). The virtualized version of the LANs, virtual local area networks (VLANs), allows users to invest in only one switch (prtl.uhcl.edu, 2016, para. 13). The VLAN is used in a virtual data center environment to separate a single LAN into more than one network while being physically connected to only one switch. One advantage of VLANs is that network administrators can now sort devices by whatever criteria they require without physical location being an issue. Different VLANs can be set for different groups or departments within the same LAN. Performance is improved because, when the LAN is broken up into VLANs, it is not receiving broadcasts from all of the devices (certbros.com, 2015, para. 4). Cost is decreased because separate physical switches are not required for VLANs. A security benefit is provided because VLANs can be configured to accommodate the different security levels needed, and the administrator can choose whether or not to allow the VLANs to communicate with each other (certbros.com, 2015, para. 6). VRFs Virtualization is also used in the data center to acquire more routing instances without acquiring more hardware (Santana, 2014. P. 90). This technology is known as Virtual Routing and

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