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Inter-VLAN Routing

In a Layer 2 switched environment, VLANs separate the network into different logical broadcast domains, where each VLAN belongs to a different IP subnet. This allows devices in the same VLAN to communicate with each other only by using a switch, while devices in different VLANs require a routing-capable device to communicate with each other.

To support inter-VLAN communication, you need a router or a Layer 3 switch that provides routing services. In the case of a Layer 3 switch, when the switch receives a packet, it determines that it belongs to another VLAN and, based on the routing table, sends the packet to the appropriate port on the other VLAN.

There are two well-known inter-VLAN routing options:

  • Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs): This is the most scalable solution for medium to large organizations and needs a Layer 3 switch.
  • Router-on-a-Stick: This is a suitable solution for small- to medium-sized networks and depends on using a router.