Do I need a router if I plan to have multiple VLANs?

[ravi.malghan]

Hi: I have a flat switched network with 3 edge switches, all connected to a core switch. I have a single VLAN. The users are connected to the edge switches and servers are connected to the core switch. If I plan to have two VLANs, one for the servers and another for all the users, will I need a router in the network to route traffic from one VLAN to the other?

Thanks

Ravi

[Roberto Salazar]

Yes, you need a L3 device that will handle the routing between vlans and from these vlans to other networks.

[ravi.malghan]

Right now, I have the core switch connected to a PIX fw and all the users have the PIX as their default gateway.

1. where should the router be placed? If I have two VLANs, will I need the router to have two interfaces with each interface in different VLANs?

Thanks

Ravi

[Roberto Salazar · Accepted solution]

If PIX can support trunking and have multiple internal interface, you can use that PIX to route for your new vlans. If not, you need a router that will have at least one fastethernet that will support trunking and use router on a stick.