5.6.9 Lab: Create Vlans - Gui: Exact Answer & Steps

Ever tried to set up a VLAN on a switch and ended up staring at a maze of CLI commands?
I’ve been there—typing line after line, hoping I didn’t typo something crucial. Turns out the GUI in the 5.6.9 lab makes the whole thing feel a lot less like deciphering ancient runes and more like dragging‑and‑dropping Lego bricks.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start clicking, keep reading. I’m walking through the exact steps, the pitfalls most people hit, and a few shortcuts that will save you time the next time you fire up the lab Small thing, real impact. Simple as that..

What Is the 5.6.9 Lab: Create VLANs – GUI

The 5.6.9 lab is a sandbox environment that ships with many network‑training platforms (think Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, or vendor‑specific simulators). Its purpose is simple: give you a hands‑on playground to practice VLAN creation without touching a physical switch Simple, but easy to overlook. Still holds up..

When we say “create VLANs – GUI,” we’re talking about using the web‑based graphical interface that the lab provides. Instead of typing vlan 10 and name Sales into a console, you’ll click a few buttons, fill in a form, and watch the VLAN appear in the port list instantly.

The GUI mirrors the same underlying configuration you’d get from the CLI, so whatever you build here can be exported to a real device later. It’s a visual cheat sheet that still respects the same networking rules.

Why It Matters / Why People Care

Network engineers still need to know the command line—there’s no getting around that. But the reality is, most day‑to‑day work now happens through a web UI or a network‑orchestration platform The details matter here. Worth knowing..

Speed: A few clicks can replace ten minutes of typing. When you’re troubleshooting a production issue, that speed matters.
Confidence: Seeing a VLAN pop up in a list reassures you that the change actually took effect. No need to show vlan brief and hope you didn’t miss a typo.
Learning bridge: The GUI shows you the same parameters you’d set in the CLI (ID, name, ports). It’s a low‑risk way to internalize the concepts before you move to the console.

In practice, the lab’s GUI is the stepping stone between theory and the real‑world network. Master it, and you’ll cut down on configuration errors the first time you touch a physical switch.

How It Works (or How to Do It)

Below is the step‑by‑step workflow I use every time I spin up the 5.That's why 6. 9 lab. Feel free to bookmark this page; it’s the quick‑reference cheat sheet you’ll actually use Simple, but easy to overlook..

1. Launch the Lab and Access the GUI

Open your lab platform and start the 5.6.9 topology.
Once the virtual switch boots, its management IP should appear in the console output (usually something like 192.168.1.10).
Open a web browser, type the IP, and hit Enter.
Log in with the default credentials (admin / admin).

Pro tip: Change the default password immediately. The GUI will nag you the first time you log in, but it’s worth doing now rather than later.

2. manage to the VLAN Management Page

On the left navigation pane you’ll see a menu titled Switch Configuration. Click VLANs → VLAN List.

You should now see a table with columns for VLAN ID, Name, Status, and Ports. It’s empty at this point because the lab starts with a clean slate.

3. Add a New VLAN

Click the Add VLAN button (usually a plus icon in the top‑right).
A modal window pops up. Fill in:
- VLAN ID: Choose a number between 1‑4094. I like to start with 10 for Sales, 20 for Engineering, 30 for Guest.
- Name: Something readable—“Sales” works fine.
- Status: Keep it Active unless you’re testing a shutdown scenario.
Hit Save.

The new VLAN appears in the list instantly. If you open the Port Assignment tab, you’ll see that no ports are attached yet.

4. Assign Ports to the VLAN

Return to the VLAN List and click the Edit icon next to the VLAN you just created.
In the edit view, locate the Port Assignment section. You’ll see a series of checkboxes or a drag‑and‑drop area representing each physical (or virtual) port on the switch.
Check the boxes for the ports you want in this VLAN. To give you an idea, ports 1 and 2 for Sales.
Click Apply.

The ports now show the VLAN ID next to them. Some GUIs also let you set the port mode (access vs. trunk). If you need a trunk, select the VLAN as a Tagged entry and add any other VLANs you want to carry That's the part that actually makes a difference..

5. Verify the Configuration

Even though the GUI looks trustworthy, a quick verification never hurts.

Click Show Running Config (often under Diagnostics).
Search for vlan 10 and confirm the name and ports match what you set.

If everything lines up, you’re good to go.

6. Save the Configuration

Never assume the lab will auto‑save. Click Save Config or Write Memory—the exact wording varies by platform.

A small popup will confirm the operation succeeded. If you close the browser now and reopen it later, the VLAN should still be there.

Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong

Using the Same VLAN ID Twice – The GUI will usually block you, but some older versions let you overwrite silently, causing port‑membership chaos. Double‑check the ID column before you click Save.
Forgetting to Set Port Mode – By default many labs set ports to trunk mode. If you intended an access port, traffic will be tagged and devices won’t communicate. Always glance at the Mode drop‑down when you assign ports And it works..
Skipping the Save Step – I’ve seen students lose an entire lab because they clicked Apply but never hit Save Config. The change looks live, but a reboot wipes it.
Assuming “Active” Means “Uplink” – The Status field only indicates whether the VLAN is enabled, not whether it’s connected to a router or another switch. You still need to configure a routing interface or a trunk to get inter‑VLAN traffic Turns out it matters..
Mixing Up Tagged vs. Untagged – In the port assignment UI, some platforms label the checkboxes “Untagged” and “Tagged.” Selecting both for the same port can create a loop in the VLAN table. Keep it clean: one or the other per VLAN per port Surprisingly effective..

Practical Tips / What Actually Works

Name Your VLANs Clearly – A descriptive name (e.g., HR-Voice) saves you from hunting through IDs later.
Use Consistent ID Ranges – Reserve 10‑99 for user groups, 100‑199 for services, 200‑299 for management. It’s a habit that pays off in larger designs It's one of those things that adds up..
Batch Assign Ports – If the GUI supports multi‑select, hold Shift and click the first and last port you need, then assign the VLAN in one go The details matter here..
Export the Config – Most labs let you download the running config as a text file. Keep a copy; you’ll need it when you move from the lab to a real switch Nothing fancy..
Test Connectivity Immediately – After you finish a VLAN, spin up two hosts on the assigned ports and ping each other. If the ping fails, you likely missed a port‑mode setting.
apply the “Clone VLAN” Feature – Some newer 5.6.9 GUIs let you duplicate an existing VLAN (copy ID, name, ports). Great for creating a similar VLAN for a different department without re‑doing every step Which is the point..

FAQ

Q1: Can I create VLANs larger than 4094?
No. VLAN IDs are limited to 12 bits, so the maximum is 4094. Anything beyond that is reserved for special protocols.

Q2: Does the GUI support VLAN stacking (Q‑in‑Q)?
The 5.6.9 lab’s GUI is basic—no native Q‑in‑Q support. You’d need to drop to the CLI for that advanced feature Worth keeping that in mind. Took long enough..

Q3: What happens if I assign the same port to multiple access VLANs?
The GUI will usually flag the conflict and refuse the second assignment. If it lets you through, the last entry wins, and the previous VLAN is removed from that port Which is the point..

Q4: Is there a way to script VLAN creation in the lab?
Yes. The lab often provides an API endpoint you can call with a JSON payload. It’s beyond the GUI scope, but handy for bulk operations.

Q5: How do I revert a VLAN change if I mess up?
Go back to the VLAN list, click the Delete icon next to the offending VLAN, confirm, then Save Config. If you only need to adjust ports, edit the VLAN and uncheck the problematic ports.

That’s it. You’ve just turned a handful of clicks into a solid VLAN design, avoided the usual rookie traps, and walked away with a config you can actually use. Also, next time you open the 5. 6.9 lab, you’ll be clicking with confidence instead of guessing at the command line. Happy networking!