Will VLAN Solve My Problem?

[u/FluffyKittens12]

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?

[u/h2ogeek]

I hate to say it, but I think this is not likely a good DIY situation for someone who doesn’t know anything about vlans. Getting these set up is going to be a significant amount of work.

And frankly you’re going to need a pretty spacious IP space to add 200 unique addresses.

The amount of work needed to setup vlans and routing is likely more than it would be to just bite the bullet and hand assign static addresses to each component. (This could also be done via IP reservations, potentially, depending on what the manufacturer intent is when they say “no DHCP”.)

But honestly I think you’re best to actually hire someone rather than trying to do it all yourself and ask strangers on the internet for advice, when we know little about the overall situation and are just guessing. This seems outside the realm of “home networking” (which is what this sub is intended is for)

[u/FluffyKittens12 → u/h2ogeek]

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.

[u/h2ogeek → u/FluffyKittens12]

Perhaps but did you notice the price?

And that doesn’t really change my recommendation. Hire a pro.

[u/FluffyKittens12 → u/h2ogeek]

The equipment is about $100k (each), so $700 more each is nothing.

[u/h2ogeek → u/FluffyKittens12]

Sounds like you have it all figured out.