Homelab VLAN Segmentation
How to split a home network into isolated VLANs so IoT devices, guests, and your main PCs cannot talk to each other. The most impactful security upgrade for a home network.
All firewall rules shown here add isolation between segments — they do not remove existing protections. Apply changes in a maintenance window and verify connectivity between segments after each step before moving on.
When to Use
- Setting up VLANs on a home network for the first time
- Isolating IoT devices (smart bulbs, cameras, TVs) from trusted devices
- Creating a guest Wi-Fi network that cannot reach home devices
- Explaining how VLANs work to someone unfamiliar with the concept
- Configuring trunk ports, access ports, and SSID-to-VLAN mapping
- Troubleshooting inter-VLAN routing or firewall rule issues on pfSense/OPNsense/UniFi
How It Works
Without VLANs — flat network:
All devices on 192.168.1.0/24
Smart TV (potential malware) → can reach your NAS, PCs, everything
With VLANs:
VLAN 10 — Trusted 192.168.10.0/24 (PCs, phones, laptops)
VLAN 20 — IoT 192.168.20.0/24 (smart TV, bulbs, cameras)
VLAN 30 — Servers 192.168.30.0/24 (NAS, Pi, VMs)…
