Ruijie switches are among the most widely used networking solutions thanks to their high quality and competitive pricing compared to other brands. They are commonly deployed in small and medium-sized networks, as well as in hotels, factories, offices, and surveillance system environments. One of the key features these switches provide is the ability to configure Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs).
In this article, we will explain what a VLAN is, why every network administrator working with Ruijie switches should understand it, how to configure it step by step, and compare some of the most commonly used Ruijie switch models.
What is a VLAN?
A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a technology that allows a single physical network to be divided into multiple logical networks. Each VLAN operates as if it were an independent network, even though all connected devices share the same physical switch.
This technology is based on the globally recognized IEEE 802.1Q standard, which is fully supported across all Ruijie switch models.
Some of the main advantages of using VLANs on Ruijie switches include:
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Logically separating company departments such as Accounting, IT, and Surveillance Networks without requiring a dedicated physical switch for each department.
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Improving network security, as devices within one VLAN cannot communicate directly with devices in another VLAN unless traffic is routed through a Layer 3 device.
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Reducing unnecessary broadcast traffic, resulting in improved overall network performance.
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Simplifying future network expansion without requiring additional network cabling.
Port Types Used for VLAN Configuration
Before configuring VLANs, it is essential to understand the different port types available on Ruijie switches, as each serves a different purpose when handling VLAN traffic.
Access Port
An Access port is used to connect end-user devices such as computers, printers, or IP surveillance cameras.
An Access port belongs to only one VLAN, and all outgoing traffic is transmitted without VLAN tags (Untagged).
Trunk Port
A Trunk port is used to connect switches together or to connect a switch with a router or wireless access point.
It can carry traffic for multiple VLANs simultaneously over a single cable by adding VLAN tags to each Ethernet frame. The only exception is the Native VLAN, whose traffic is transmitted without tagging.
Hybrid Port
A Hybrid port is an advanced port type available on selected Ruijie switch models.
It combines the capabilities of both Access and Trunk ports by allowing certain VLANs to be transmitted as Tagged while others remain Untagged simultaneously.
Hybrid ports are typically used in specialized deployments, such as wireless access points broadcasting multiple SSIDs mapped to different VLANs.
Once these three port types are understood, VLAN configuration through the management interface becomes straightforward, as explained in the following section.
Configuring VLANs Through the eWeb Interface
The VLAN configuration procedure is very similar across most managed Ruijie switches, including both the RG-ES and RG-NBS series, using the built-in eWeb management interface.
Step 1: Access the Management Interface
Connect a computer to one of the switch ports.
Configure the computer's IP address to match the switch's default network, which is typically 10.44.77.200.
Open a web browser and enter the switch IP address.
Log in using the default credentials:
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Username: admin
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Password: admin
Step 2: Create a New VLAN
Follow these steps:
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Select VLAN from the left-side menu.
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Open VLAN List (or the equivalent menu depending on the model).
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Click Add to create a new VLAN.
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Enter a VLAN ID, ranging from 1 to 4094.
Keep in mind that VLAN 1 is the default VLAN and cannot be removed.
Next, assign a descriptive VLAN name that identifies its purpose or department.
Finally, click Save.
Step 3: Assign Ports to the VLAN
This is the most critical step of the entire configuration process.
Navigate to Port VLAN or Ports, then select the desired port and configure its type.
For an Access Port
Specify the VLAN ID assigned to the port.
All connected devices will become members of that VLAN.
For a Trunk Port
Configure:
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The Native VLAN, whose traffic will be transmitted without VLAN tags.
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The Allowed VLAN (or Permit VLAN) list, which defines all VLANs permitted to pass through the port as Tagged traffic.
Click Save.
Once the success message appears, the VLAN has been successfully applied to the selected port.
To verify the configuration, connect a device to the configured port and confirm that it receives an IP address from the appropriate subnet, provided a DHCP server exists for that VLAN.
Important Notice: Pay special attention when configuring the Uplink Port, which connects the switch to the main network router.
Any mistake in VLAN assignment on the uplink may result in losing access to the eWeb management interface entirely, requiring a factory reset of the switch.
Configuring VLANs Using Ruijie Cloud
For administrators managing multiple switches within the same network, Ruijie provides centralized cloud management through the Ruijie Cloud platform.
This enables VLAN deployment across multiple switches simultaneously without logging into each switch individually.
Navigate to:
Configuration → Network-wide → VLAN
From there, you can create a new VLAN and deploy it to multiple switches and access points associated with the same network.
This approach is particularly beneficial in hotels, branch offices, and enterprise environments where centralized network management is essential.
Comparison of Popular Ruijie Switches
Ruijie switch models differ in several aspects, including the number of ports, supported VLAN capacity, switching layer, uplink interfaces, and PoE capability for powering IP cameras and wireless access points.
|
Model |
Ports |
PoE Support |
Maximum VLANs |
Uplink Ports |
Layer |
|
5 Gigabit Ports |
Yes, 4 PoE+ Ports |
Limited (Suitable for Small Networks) |
1 Gigabit Uplink |
Layer 2 |
|
|
10 Gigabit Ports |
Yes, 8 PoE+ Ports |
Limited to Medium |
1 Combo Port |
Layer 2 |
|
|
Up to 24 Gigabit Ports |
Model Dependent |
Up to 4094 |
Up to 4 SFP Ports |
Managed Layer 2 |
|
|
Up to 48 Gigabit Ports |
Model Dependent |
Up to 4094 |
Up to 4 × 10G SFP+ Ports |
Managed Layer 2+ |
|
|
Up to 48 Gigabit Ports |
Model Dependent |
Up to 4094 with Inter-VLAN Routing |
Up to 4 × 10G SFP+ Ports |
Managed Layer 3 |
The RG-ES series is generally the ideal choice for smaller projects such as surveillance systems and small offices.
The RG-NBS series offers more advanced capabilities, making it suitable for larger enterprise networks that require a higher number of VLANs and centralized management.
For organizations requiring direct routing between VLANs, Layer 3 models such as the RG-NBS5200 series provide the ability to perform Inter-VLAN Routing directly on the switch without the need for an external router.
Common Mistakes When Configuring VLANs on Ruijie Switches
Some of the most common mistakes made by new users include:
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Confusing Access ports with Trunk ports. Configuring an end-user device port as a Trunk port may prevent the device from connecting to the network correctly.
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Configuring different Native VLANs on opposite ends of a Trunk connection between two switches, causing VLAN traffic issues.
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Forgetting to include the management VLAN in the list of Allowed VLANs on Trunk ports, potentially resulting in complete loss of access to the switch management interface.
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Failing to document the VLAN design before deployment, making future network expansion more difficult and increasing configuration errors.
For these reasons, it is always recommended to create a clear VLAN plan before implementation and thoroughly test every configured port before proceeding with the next stage.
Conclusion
Configuring VLANs on Ruijie switches is a relatively straightforward process once the concepts behind Access, Trunk, and Hybrid ports are understood, along with the operation of the eWeb interface or the Ruijie Cloud platform.
With Ruijie offering a broad range of switch families—from the RG-ES series designed for small deployments to the advanced RG-NBS series supporting thousands of VLANs and Layer 3 routing—network administrators can easily choose the most suitable switch for their environment and implement efficient logical network segmentation that improves both security and overall network performance.
Find more:
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Ruijie Network Solutions Guide: Innovation in Connectivity
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