Home > Ask the Networking Experts > Questions & Answers > Will a VLAN help secure my small network?
Ask The Networking Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Will a VLAN help secure my small network?

Puneet Mehta EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Puneet Mehta

Pose a Question
Other Networking Categories
Meet all Networking Experts
Become an Expert for this site
>
QUESTION POSED ON: 08 March 2005
My sister-in-law runs a payroll business from a home office with three networked PCs and a Win2000 server. They have a router to a broadband Internet connection. Their son has his own PC in his room and I'm worried about it being on the same network as the business. Would a VLAN provide additional security, and if so, how can I learn more about setting one up?

>
Answer: If the objective is to restrict Son's PC from accessing the Internet, it can be achieved by making some changes in the router configuration. Enable the following:

Filtering

  • IP filters
    Use IP filters to deny particular LAN IP addresses from accessing the Internet. You can deny specific port numbers or all ports for a specific IP address.
  • MAC filters
    Use MAC filters to deny computers within the local area network from accessing the Internet. You can either manually add a MAC address or select the MAC address from the list of clients that are currently connected to the unit.

    Additionally, you can create security policies on W2K server for that particular user ID to allow restrictive access to the network.

    Setting up a VLAN for such a small home office network would be very expensive in terms of hardware and setup required. If you can let me know the exact requirement, I might be able to guide you better.


  • Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



    RELATED RESOURCES
    2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
    Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
    Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



    Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
    Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
    Browse our Expert Advice



    Expert networking advice and tips for IT professionals
    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    SEARCH 
    TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
      TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts