Setting Up VLANs in Proxmox for Isolated Networking

Introduction

Virtual LANs (VLANs) allow you to segment network traffic for better security and performance. In Proxmox, VLANs can be configured to isolate different virtual machines (VMs) or Linux Containers (LXC) without needing separate physical networks. This guide will walk you through setting up VLANs in Proxmox step by step.

Step 1: Understanding VLANs in Proxmox

Proxmox supports VLAN tagging using Linux network bridges. The key components include:

  • VLAN Tagging: Assigns VLAN IDs to network packets.

  • Linux Bridge: Acts as a virtual switch connecting VMs to the VLAN.

  • Physical Network Interface: Must support VLAN tagging (802.1Q).

Step 2: Configuring VLANs in Proxmox

  1. Access the Network Configuration

    • Log into the Proxmox web interface.

    • Navigate to Datacenter > Node > Network.

  2. Create a VLAN Bridge

    • Click Create > Linux Bridge.

    • Name it vmbr1 (or another identifier).

    • Under VLAN Aware, select Yes.

    • Click Create.

  3. Assign VLAN to a VM or Container

    • Go to the VM/LXC settings.

    • Under Network Device, set VLAN Tag to the appropriate VLAN ID.

    • Click Apply and restart the VM/LXC.

Step 3: Testing VLAN Connectivity

  1. Ping between VMs using the same VLAN.

  2. Use a VLAN-aware switch or router to verify network segmentation.

Conclusion

Setting up VLANs in Proxmox helps isolate and secure network traffic. By following this guide, you can manage multiple VLANs efficiently.