How to configure Trunk and Access ports on the SonicWall switch?

Access port: A port that can be assigned to a single VLAN. The frames that arrive on an access port are assumed to be part of the access VLAN. This port type is configured on switch ports that are connected to devices with a normal network card, for example a host on a network.

Trunk port: This port type can carry traffic of multiple VLANs, thus allowing you to extend VLANs across your entire network. Frames are tagged by assigning a VLAN ID to each frame as they traverse between switches.

This article explains the steps to configure a port on the SonicWall switch as trunk or access port.

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

The VLANs are supposed to be added on the firewall and can then be referenced by the SonicWall switch. Please refer to How Can I Configure Sub-Interfaces? for creating VLANs on the firewall.

We have VLAN 201 and 202 under the X4 WLAN interface of the firewall.Port 1 of the switch is used as a common uplink for provisioning the switch through the firewall connected to interface X3. Port 2 of the switch is a dedicated uplink for X4. Two switches are connected in a daisy chain mode.

Let us configure port 23 of the parent switch as the access port for VLAN 201.

1. Navigate to DEVICE | External collectors | Switch Controller and Overview tab.
2. Click port 23 of the switch from either Physical view, list view, or VLAN view.
   
   
   
   
3. Make sure that the port enable is toggled to ON state, we have connected the port 23 of the switch to Sonicwall Access point.
4. Port shield it to interface X4 as that interface has VLAN 201 configured.
5. VLAN mode can be selected as Trunk/Access based on the requirement, we are configuring it to use as access port.
6. Select the VLAN 201 for the access port and confirm the settings.
   
   

Let us configure port 22 as a trunk port allowing both VLAN 201 and 202. 

1. Navigate to DEVICE | External collectors | Switch Controller and Overview tab.
2.  Click on port 22 of the switch from either Physical view, list view or VLAN view.
3. Make sure that the port enable is toggled to ON state, we have connected the port 22 of the switch to Sonicwall Access point.
4. Port shield it to interface X4 as that interface has VLAN 201, 202 configured.
5. VLAN mode can be selected as Trunk/Access based on the requirement, we are configuring it to use as trunk port.
   NOTE: You can also select only one of them. It will still be a trunk port but will only be allowing one VLAN through that port.
   
   

Once the configuration is saved, you can navigate to the VLAN view tab and make sure that the configuration looks correct.  It is color-coded as well as shows the information on the right-hand side table.

     

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

The VLANs are supposed to be added on the firewall and can then be referenced by the SonicWall switch. Please refer to How Can I Configure Sub-Interfaces? for creating VLANs on the firewall.

EXAMPLE: We have VLAN 60 and 90 under interface X2 and VLAN 70 and 75 under X5. Port 23 of the switch is used as a common uplink for provisioning the switch through the firewall connected to interface X2. Port 3 of the switch is a dedicated uplink for X5.

Let us configure port 1 of the switch as the access port for VLAN 90.

1. Navigate to MANAGE | System Setup | Switch Controller and Overview tab.
2. Click port 1 of the switch from either Physical view, list view, or VLAN view.
   

   
   
   

3. Make sure that the port enable is toggled to ON state.
4. Port shield it to interface X2 as that interface has VLAN 90 configured.
5. Also from the list of VLANs under 'VLANs available', move 90 to 'VLANs selected' using the right arrow.
6. Click OK .
   

   
   
   

Let us configure port 2 as a trunk port allowing both VLAN 70 and 75. 

1. Navigate to MANAGE | System Setup | Switch Controller and Overview tab.
2. Click on port 2 of the switch from either Physical view, list view or VLAN view.
   

   
   
   

3. Make sure that the port enable is toggled to ON state.
4. Port shield it to interface X5 as that interface has VLAN 70 and 75 configured.
5. Set the option VLAN trunk to Enable.
6. Also from the list of VLANs under VLANs available, move 70 and 75 to VLANs selected using the right arrow.
   

   NOTE: You can also select only one of them. It will still be a trunk port but will only be allowing one VLAN through that port

7.  

   Click OK.
   

   
   
   

8. Once the configuration is saved, you can navigate to the VLAN view tab and make sure that the configuration looks correct. 

   It is color-coded as well as shows the information on the right-hand side table.