Network Segmentation / Virtualization
=====================================

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   VLAN
   VPC

Network segmentation and virtualization technologies logically divide networks to enhance **security**, **performance**, and **administrative control** across enterprise and cloud infrastructures.

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   * - Technology
     - Description
     - Use Case
   * - VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
     - Logical segmentation of a Layer 2 network into separate broadcast domains.  
       *Enhances security and isolates traffic between devices.*
     - Isolating departments (e.g., HR, Finance), reducing broadcast traffic.
   * - VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
     - Virtual network in cloud environments that mimics traditional networking.  
       *Supports routing, security groups, subnets, and gateways.*
     - Deploying secure cloud applications with private subnets.

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   .. tab-item:: VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)

      **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.1Q

      **Main Features:**

      - Segments a physical network into multiple logical networks
      - Reduces broadcast domain size
      - Each VLAN acts like a separate Layer 2 network
      - Traffic tagging allows VLANs across trunk links
      - VLANs help enforce policy and isolate traffic

      **Use Cases:**

      - Isolating sensitive traffic (e.g., finance vs. guest Wi-Fi)
      - Improving network performance and organization
      - Simplifying security enforcement and policy application

      **Alternative Technologies:**

      - VXLAN – Extends VLANs over Layer 3 networks
      - PVLAN – Private VLANs for micro-segmentation
      - SDN – Virtual segmentation using software-defined networking

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         **Let us learn more about VLANs:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <VLAN_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <VLAN_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <VLAN_step3>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Version&RFC Details <VLAN_step5>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <VLAN_step20>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <VLAN_step21>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Protocol Packet Details <VLAN_step6>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Usecases <VLAN_step7>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Basic Features <VLAN_step8>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Logical Segmentation <VLAN_step9>` 

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Broadcast Control <VLAN_step10>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Improved Security <VLAN_step11>`  

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Traffic Management <VLAN_step12>`  

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Simplified Administration <VLAN_step13>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Scalability <VLAN_step14>`

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Quality of Service (QoS) <VLAN_step15>`   

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Support for Multi-Tenancy <VLAN_step16>` 

         * :ref:`VLAN Feature : Dynamic Assignment <VLAN_step17>`

         * :ref `VLAN Feature : Integration with STP <VLAN_step18>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <VLAN_step19>`

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   .. tab-item:: VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)

      **Used By:** AWS, GCP, Azure, Oracle Cloud

      **Main Features:**

      - Virtualized network within cloud provider infrastructure
      - Includes subnets, route tables, firewalls, and NAT gateways
      - Supports public and private IP address ranges
      - Fine-grained control over routing and connectivity
      - Enables secure and isolated cloud workloads

      **Use Cases:**

      - Hosting cloud-native or hybrid applications securely
      - Isolating environments (e.g., dev, test, prod)
      - VPN and Direct Connect for hybrid cloud access
      - Applying firewall and security group policies per subnet

      **Alternative Technologies:**

      - On-premises VLANs and VRFs
      - SDN – Software-defined overlay networks
      - NSX, Azure Virtual Network, GCP VPC Peering

      .. panels::
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         :card: What You Will Learn in This Section

         **Let us learn more about VPCs:**

         * :ref:`Learnings in this section <VPC_step1>`

         * :ref:`Terminology <VPC_step2>`

         * :ref:`Version Info <VPC_step3>`

         * :ref:`VPC Version&RFC Details <VPC_step5>`

         * :ref:`VPC Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <VPC_step19>`

         * :ref:`VPC Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <VPC_step20>`

         * :ref:`VPC Protocol Packet Details <VPC_step6>`

         * :ref:`VPC Usecases <VPC_step7>`

         * :ref:`VPC Basic Features <VPC_step8>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Private IP Addressing <VPC_step9>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Subnetting <VPC_step10>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Route Tables <VPC_step11>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Security Groups <VPC_step12>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Network ACLs <VPC_step13>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Elastic IP Support <VPC_step14>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : NAT Gateway Integration <VPC_step15>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : Internet Gateway Access <VPC_step16>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : DNS Resolution <VPC_step17>`

         * :ref:`VPC Feature : IPV6 Support <VPC_step18>`

         * :ref:`Reference links <VPC_step21>`



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