DAE think we overcomplicate network segmentation?

I was setting up a new VLAN scheme for a branch office in Phoenix and started with a super detailed plan for 15 separate segments. After a day of headaches, I just grouped things by device type and function, ending up with 5 VLANs, and it's been running smooth for 3 months. Is the 'micro-segmentation' trend actually worth the extra config time?

2 comments

2 Comments

riley_king1611d ago

My old boss at a data center swore by the "Phoenix method" you just described. He said every extra VLAN adds a hidden tax on troubleshooting time. The real cost isn't setup, it's when a server goes down at 2 AM and you're tracing routes through a dozen pointless segments. Your five VLAN setup probably cuts that diagnostic time in half.

grant_gibson11d ago

Man, I read an article a while back that basically said a lot of network segmentation is just security theater. It made a good point that if your firewall rules are a mess, having twenty VLANs doesn't really make you safer, it just makes your life harder. I've seen places where the fancy setup actually created more holes because no one could keep the rules straight. Your five VLAN plan sounds like it hits the sweet spot between being safe and actually workable.