Every network in a company or organization experiences continuous growth over time, with an increasing number of phones, cameras, wireless access points, computers, and other devices that all require precise organization. This is where VLAN technology becomes essential, and Grandstream switches stand out as one of the most popular solutions in this field. They combine affordable pricing with powerful specifications and genuine support for secure and organized network segmentation.
In this article, we will explore VLAN technology, how certain Grandstream switches support it, and provide a comparison between the most prominent available models to help you choose the right switch for your needs.
What is VLAN?
VLAN stands for Virtual Local Area Network. The core idea is that you can divide a single physical network into multiple separate logical networks, even if all devices are connected to the same switch or even to different switches located in various parts of the building.
Why is this important? Without this segmentation, all devices share the same Broadcast Domain, which leads to:
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Network congestion due to data that not all devices need.
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Difficulty in separating departments from a security perspective.
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Problems with call quality when voice data and regular data compete on the same path.
By using VLANs, you can assign a dedicated network for the Accounting department, another for the IT department, and a third exclusively for phones. Each one remains isolated from the others, even though they are all connected to the same physical switch.
Not All Grandstream Switches Support VLAN
The Grandstream GWN7700 series, which includes models such as GWN7700, GWN7700P, GWN7701PA, and GWN7702P, are unmanaged switches. You simply install and connect them, and they work immediately without any configuration. Their advantage is extreme ease and speed of deployment, but their drawback is that they have no management interface at all. Therefore, it is impossible to create VLANs or any advanced settings on them.
If you need VLAN support, you must move to the managed series, which we will discuss in detail below.
Grandstream GWN7800 Managed Switches: The Ideal Solution for VLAN Support
The GWN7800 series is Grandstream’s managed lineup (Layer 2+). It features a full management interface via web browser, the GDMS cloud platform, or the GWN Manager software. The available models in this series are: GWN7801P, GWN7802P, GWN7803P, and GWN7806P.
Each model differs primarily in the number of ports:
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GWN7801P: 8 Gigabit ports + 2 SFP ports — suitable for small offices or limited branches.
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GWN7802P: 16 Gigabit ports + 4 SFP ports — suitable for medium-sized companies.
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GWN7803P: 24 Gigabit ports + 4 SFP ports — a good choice for larger organizations.
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GWN7806P: 48 Gigabit ports + 6 SFP+ 10 Gigabit ports, with a switching capacity of up to 216 Gbps. This is the most powerful model in the series and is ideal for large enterprises or central network rooms.
All four models support PoE (powering connected devices through the network cable itself). They also fully support advanced VLAN, Voice VLAN, QoS, and port-level security features such as DHCP Snooping and ARP Inspection.
Grandstream Pro Series Switches: Higher Performance and Advanced Capabilities
After the GWN7800 series, Grandstream introduced a newer lineup called GWN7800 Pro (Layer 2++), featuring stronger processors and larger memory. Available models in this series include:
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GWN7802P Pro: 16 Gigabit ports with 10G SFP+ ports instead of regular SFP, and PoE/PoE++ support.
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GWN7803PH Pro: 24 Gigabit ports with SFP+ ports and higher-power PoE++ for powering high-demand devices such as modern surveillance cameras and powerful wireless access points.
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GWN7806PH Pro: 48 Gigabit ports with 6 SFP+ ports. This is the enhanced version of the standard GWN7806P, offering greater processing power, more storage space, and additional features such as Stacking capability in some models of this series.
The difference between the standard series and the Pro series is not in VLAN support itself (both fully support it), but in overall performance, uplink port speeds, PoE power capacity, and future network scalability.
Comparison of Grandstream Switches
|
Model |
Category |
Gigabit Ports |
SFP/SFP+ Ports |
PoE Support |
VLAN Support |
|
GWN7700 |
Unmanaged |
5 |
None |
No |
Not Available |
|
GWN7701PA |
Unmanaged |
8 |
None |
Yes, 8 PoE+ ports |
Not Available |
|
GWN7702P |
Unmanaged |
16 |
None |
Yes, 8 PoE+ ports |
Not Available |
|
GWN7803P |
Managed Layer 2+ |
24 |
4 SFP |
Yes, PoE/PoE+ |
Fully Supported |
|
GWN7806P |
Managed Layer 2+ |
48 |
6 SFP+ (10G) |
Yes, PoE/PoE+ |
Fully Supported |
|
GWN7806PH Pro |
Managed Layer 2++ |
48 |
6 SFP+ (10G) |
Yes, PoE/PoE++ |
Fully Supported |
How to Create VLANs on Grandstream Managed Switches
The process is generally straightforward and similar across all managed models. You start by accessing the switch’s web interface, GDMS, or GWN Manager, then navigate to the Switching section and select VLAN. From there, you can:
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Create a VLAN ID (a single number or a batch of numbers).
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Define the type of each port: Trunk (carries multiple networks), Access (belongs to one network only), or Hybrid (combines both).
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Specify whether traffic on each port is Tagged or Untagged.
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Enable Voice VLAN for IP phones to ensure voice traffic priority and reduce latency or jitter in calls.
A useful feature available in both series is GVRP, a protocol that automatically propagates VLAN information between connected switches, saving significant time in multi-switch environments.
Why VLAN Support Matters in Practice
VLAN support provides many practical benefits, including:
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Security: You can completely prevent one department from accessing another department’s network.
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Reduced Congestion: Broadcast traffic stays confined within each VLAN, preventing unnecessary data from reaching all devices.
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Voice and Video Quality: Voice VLAN ensures that calls are not affected by regular network load.
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Easy Scalability: When opening a new branch or department, you can simply add a new VLAN without changing the physical network design.
How to Choose the Right Switch for Your Needs
If your needs are limited to simply connecting devices without network management or segmentation, the GWN7700 series is an economical and practical choice. However, if you need to create VLANs, prioritize voice or surveillance camera traffic, or plan for future network expansion, it is better to choose the GWN7800 or GWN7800 Pro series.
The decision between the two series depends mainly on network size, number of devices, required uplink speeds, and the PoE power needed to operate connected devices efficiently.
Conclusion
VLAN support is one of the most important features to consider when choosing a switch, especially in environments that require higher levels of organization, security, and management ease. Grandstream switches offer diverse options to suit various needs — from unmanaged switches for simple use cases to fully managed series like GWN7800 and GWN7800 Pro, which provide advanced network management and efficient VLAN support.
Therefore, selecting the right switch according to your current and future network size and requirements ensures stable performance and scalability as your business grows.