Difference Between VLAN and VPN

VLAN is a virtual connection between devices or departments of two or more than two local area networks (LANs). i.e, more than one different local area connected virtually into one logical network. In order to understand the VLAN, we must know what the broadcast domain.

Broadcast Domain

•  It is the area where all of the devices receive the same information or data at the same time. 
• The size of the Broadcast Domain is directly proportional to the Broadcast traffic, which means the larger the size of the Broadcast Domain larger will be the Broadcast traffic. 
• This traffic is always an issue for all switches in the second-level network layer that is because of the wastage of bandwidth and uncontrolled or unmanaged traffic.

So, in order to reduce this broadcast traffic or the size of the broadcast domain we use the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN).

What is VLAN?

• It is a collection of the same type of devices/departments in one or more local areas. Designed to interact with each other through data links as they share the same physical location in the same broadcast domain.
• VLAN behaves like an independent LAN.
• VLANs are represented by a number which is called VLAN ID, which is different and unique.
• It is also possible to divide one large physical LAN into two smaller logical LANs. Sometimes, the layout of the network equipment does not match the organization’s structure. 

For example,

the engineering and finance departments of a company might have computers on the same physical LAN because they are in the same wing of the building but it might be easier to manage the system if engineering and finance logically each had its own network Virtual LAN or VLAN.

What is Virtual Private Network (VPN)?

• VPN is a service that helps you stay private when you are online. it provides protection on network connection while using public networks.
• VPNs use encryption techniques to encrypt your internet traffic data such as IP address and hide your online identity over the internet. VPN makes a secure tunnel for your device to connect to the internet.
• In order to use VPN you need to install the software-based technology known as the VPN client on your device that would let you establish a secure connection.

How VPN functions:

•  The VPN client connects to the Wi-Fi and then to the ISP(Internet Service Provider) here VPN client encrypts your information/data by using VPN protocols, data is encrypted to make sure it is secure.
• Next, the VPN client establishes a VPN tunnel within the public network that connects to the VPN server the VPN tunnel protects your information from being intercepted by the hacker, and your IP address and the actual location are changed at the VPN server to enable a private and secure connection.
•  Finally, the VPN server connects to your website server in the last step where the encrypted message is decrypted, in this way your original IP address is hidden by the VPN, and the VPN tunnel protects your data from being hacked.
•  In this manner, your data is anonymous and secure when it passes through the public network and that makes a difference between a normal connection and a VPN connection. 

Even if you work remotely or are connected to public Wi-Fi using a VPN is always the safest option. In addition to providing a secure encrypted data transfer VPNs are also used to disguise your whereabouts and give you access to regional web content, VPN servers act as proxies on the internet this way your actual location cannot be established, VPN enables you to spoof your location and switch to a server to another country and thereby changed your location. Encryption is a pillar of VPNs. 

Differences Between VPN And VLAN

Parameter of Comparison	VLAN	VPN
Full Form	Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)	Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Types	Type of VLAN: 1. Port-based VLAN 2. Protocol-based VLAN 3. MAC-based VLAN	Type of VPN: 1. Remote Access VPN 2. Site-to-Site VPN
Kind of service	VLANs are the kind of subnetworks	VPNs are the technology a service
Take help of	VLANs use virtual LANs to segment traffic	VPN uses encryption to create a virtual private network
Purpose	Help in connecting multiple devices that are separated by distance	Help in connecting authorization personals
hierarchical structure	VLAN is a subset of the VPN	VPN is a superset of VLAN
Definition	use to consolidate(or strong) devices that are separated, into a single Broadcast Domain	use to transmit secure data
Tunnel/channel	VLAN does not use any kind of tunnel	VPN uses a virtual tunnel for secure connection
Security	less secure as compared to VPN	more secure
Price	VLANs are cheap	VPNs are expansive
Efficiency	VLAN is less efficient as compared to the VPN	VPN increases the efficiency

Similarities Between VPN And VLAN

Despite being so many differences between VLAN and VPN, there are multiple similarities between them, 

• In terms of network scalability both VPN and VLAN allow multiple institutes and corporates to maintain their webbing more effectively.
• VPN and VLAN both can be used to enhance privacy or security by encrypting the network traffic.
• VPN and VLAN can be used to improve network security.
• As far as route traffic is concerned both VPN and VLAN use IP addresses.
• Within the physical network layer VPN and VLAN both are used to create independent virtual networks.
• Both are used in saving the cost of the different institutes and corporate by reducing the need for physical network components

Conclusion:

VLAN and VPN both are chosen for security and privacy demand for the users. A VLAN is basically a means to logically segregate or geographically distance apart networks without physically segregating them with multiple switches. and the VPN on the other hand is used to connect two points in a secure and secure tunnel or moreover encrypted way. VLAN is a subcategory of VPN and VPN is a means to create a secure network for secure data transmission. 

FAQs on VPN And VLAN

Q1. What is the hierarchical structure of VLAN and VPN?

Ans: A VLAN is a subcategory of a VPN or a VPN is a superset of a VLAN

Q2. Why do we use VLAN over VPN? 

Ans: VLAN is very easy to implement, and low cost as compared to VPN and it is usually deployed at the edge of the ISP network, ISP network means Internet Service provider

Q3. What is the full form of MAC-based VLAN?

Ans: Media Access Control (MAC)-based VLAN, is used to help in mapping the ingress interface

Q4. Why encryption and decryption are used in VPN? 

Ans: Encryption and decryption are used in VPN to make the connection more secure and strong, encryption is a way of converting a readable message to an unreadable message so that an unauthorized person or body is not able to read that. Decryption is the way of converting an encrypted message back to its original form. 

Q5. What are the methods used in encryption in VPN?

Ans: There are multiple methods used in the encryption of messages or data, symmetric, asymmetric, and Hashing.