+44 (0)1745 369922

Why VLANs Aren’t Just for Enterprises & How SMEs Benefit

Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) allow businesses to logically segment their network without requiring separate physical infrastructure. Instead of all devices sharing one flat network, VLANs create isolated network segments on the same switching hardware. While often associated with large enterprises, VLANs provide significant security, performance, and management benefits that are increasingly valuable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Improved Security Through Network Segmentation

One of the biggest advantages of VLANs is security. By separating devices into different VLANs—such as staff PCs, servers, guest Wi-Fi, and VoIP phones—SMEs can limit how traffic flows across the network. This reduces the attack surface and prevents lateral movement if a device is compromised. For example, a guest Wi-Fi user should never have visibility of internal systems, and VLANs make that separation simple and enforceable.

Better Performance and Reduced Broadcast Traffic

In a flat network, broadcast traffic is shared by all devices, which can impact performance as the business grows. VLANs contain broadcast domains, ensuring that unnecessary traffic does not affect critical systems. For SMEs running cloud applications, VoIP, or video conferencing, this segmentation helps maintain consistent performance without needing costly hardware upgrades.

"VLANs are like dividing a crowded marketplace into smaller, quieter sections. This improves the flow of people and makes it easier to control and manage different areas."

- Rhodri Ross

Support for Modern Workloads and Devices

SMEs today rely on a wide mix of devices—laptops, mobile phones, printers, IP phones, cameras, and IoT equipment. VLANs allow each of these device types to be logically grouped and managed according to their needs. For instance, voice traffic can be placed in a dedicated VLAN with Quality of Service (QoS) applied, ensuring call quality even during busy network periods.

Simpler Management and Scalability

VLANs make networks easier to manage and scale. New users or devices can be added to the correct VLAN through switch configuration rather than physical rewiring. As the business grows, additional VLANs can be created for new departments, services, or locations without redesigning the entire network. This flexibility is especially valuable for SMEs with limited IT resources.

An Example of a MikroTik Vlan Interface List

Below is a code snipping for a network where the network is broken down into segments which we then can later limit access via firewall rules or/and routing rules.

/interface vlan
add comment="Management Network" interface=bridge name=vlan100 vlan-id=100
add comment="Phone Network" interface=bridge name=vlan101 vlan-id=101
add comment="Office Network" interface=bridge name=vlan102 vlan-id=102
add comment="CCTV Network" interface=bridge name=vlan103 vlan-id=103
add comment="Access Control Network" interface=bridge name=vlan104 vlan-id=104
add comment="PPPoE Customers" interface=bridge name=vlan200 vlan-id=200
add comment=PPPoE interface=bridge name=vlan201 vlan-id=201
add comment="Wifi Guest Customers" interface=bridge name=vlan1000 vlan-id=1000

Cost-Effective Network Design

Because VLANs operate on existing switching infrastructure, they reduce the need for multiple physical networks. This allows SMEs to achieve enterprise-grade segmentation and control without enterprise-level costs. Combined with modern firewalls and managed switches, VLANs provide strong return on investment with minimal complexity.

A Foundation for Future Security and Cloud Integration

VLANs also lay the groundwork for more advanced networking features such as firewall rules, zero-trust access models, VPN segmentation, and cloud connectivity. Even if an SME doesn’t need these capabilities today, having VLANs in place ensures the network can evolve securely as business requirements change.

Conclusion

VLANs are no longer a “nice to have” reserved for large enterprises—they are a practical, affordable way for SMEs to improve security, performance, and control while preparing their network for future growth.

Recent Articles