Configuring 802.1Q VLAN on TP-Link Easy Smart Switches in Conjunction with Cisco Switches

Introduction:

This article provides a comprehensive guide on configuring 802.1Q VLAN on Easy Smart switches to connect them to the trunk port of a Cisco switch. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can establish seamless communication and transmit VLAN-tagged traffic across the network. This configuration enhances network capacity, improves efficiency, and enables better network segmentation.

Network Layout & Hardware:

The hardware used to prepare this guide is as follows:
1. Cisco Switch with proper VLAN settings.
2. TL-SG1016DE(UN) V6_1.0.0 Build 20230220

Background:

Trunk ports carry traffic for multiple VLANs and use VLAN tagging, access ports connect end devices to a single VLAN without tagging, and general/hybrid ports allow for multiple VLANs without tagging and are used in cases where devices require connectivity to multiple VLANs but do not support trunking. In Cisco switch, a port can be set as trunk or access, while the same setting of TL-SG1016DE, together with other Easy Smart switches, is general, also called hybrid. 

Configuration:

The following modification is based on the existing VLAN settings of the Cisco switch.

As for VLAN settings of TL-SG1016DE, configurations are as followed:

VLAN ID and Tagging Setting

After all of those, packets with multiple VLAN tags can successfully reach TL-SG1016DE and the switch's client can also be categorized into their corresponding VLAN group.