VLANs v Port Isolation

RouterOS Beginner Basics
1

Hi all,

Just taken delivery of CRS317 - running the latest swOS because I think my requirements are quite basic.

I just need to split the 16 ports up into 3 port groups - like 1-6 subnetA (10.10.20.x), 7-12 subnetB (10.10.30.X), 13-16 subnetC (10.10.10.X). They are all isolated subnets that the traffic doesn’t need to go across to the other groups/subnets or off the switch besides subnetC which will use port 16 to uplink to another switch on the same classC 10.10.10.X range.

I originally thought just use port isolation to isolate the 3 ranges from each other so operating like 3 disconnected 6 port switches effectively. Is that the proper use of Port isolation ? Failing that I could setup 3 VLANS but thought the port isolation might be simpler.

Thanks

2

Yes that makes sense. Where 802.1q vlans really are powerful is when one cable has to carry out a bunch of vlans.
In your case you would have at least three cables as input (source) to the switch for the three groups and outgoing cables to devices in the group or other switches (source for that switch).

3

Cool thanks buddy.

4

VLAN- Scalable