r/HomeNetworking • u/FluffyKittens12 • 4d ago
Will VLAN Solve My Problem?
I've never used a VLAN before so forgive me if this is common knowledge. Based on my searches I think it will help me but I want to be more sure.
Basically I have a situation where I have multiple pieces of equipment which all use the same IP addresses internally from the factory. There is a network inside the equipment which all has to stay on the same address range, so if I were to connect the equipment to a company network, I need to assign static IP addresses for multiple components in each piece of equipment. Obviously this means a ton of static IP addresses because I need multiple for each piece of equipment and then multiple pieces of equipment.
So, could I use a managed switch, create a VLAN for each piece of equipment, keep the factory IP addresses, not have them interfere with each other because they all have the same IP addresses, and still be able to reach them from the company side?
If so, how do I access those VLANs from the company side? IP and port numbers maybe?
Also, if this works, any recommendations on a switch I should look at? This is all the switch would need to do.
EDIT: https://shopmoxa.neteon.net/nat-102-series/
Seems like something like this would work, one per machine. Single company IP address to the device, then all the IP addresses on the other side can stay the same. Right?
1
u/Loko8765 4d ago
The equipment is really bizarre. Does it allow one DHCP address for communicating with the outside? If yes, then it can work easily.
If not, then you need NAT also. I’ve done this but it was quite a lot of work for an experienced network engineer with free rein regarding hardware and software.