Simulation of Virtual LANs VLANs Using OPNET
Virtual LANs (VLANs) offer a method of dividing one physical network into multiple broadcast domains. This paper simulates a VLAN using OPNET. Different scenarios are designed and simulated, where a step by step procedure using the workspace of OPNET is given. The first scenario network is tested for the cases when the network composed of (10 PCs 5 servers) and (24 PCs 6 servers) This scenario is given for the purpose of comparison increased network size with no VLAN configuration. The second scenario is a 3_vlan configuration for the same network in the first scenario. The third scenario is a 6_vlan configuring. These scenarios are given for the purpose of comparison with and without VLAN, while the last scenario is given to explain VLAN interconnection which consists of one Cisco router, 4 PCs and 3servers. For VLAN inter communication, a Layer 3 router is required (e.g. Cisco 4700 router) The simulation is carried out for a total simulation time of 1 hour. The results obtained show a large reduction in traffic carried by the switch with more secure and efficient bandwidth utilization.