What are the IOS (Internetwork Operating System) commands to create a VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) and give it a name?

Enter global config mode, use vlan <id> to create it, then name <name> to name it. If you don't name it, Cisco IOS auto-names it (e.g., "vlan0020" for VLAN 20).

Command sequence:

Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# vlan 20
Switch(config-vlan)# name student
Switch(config-vlan)# end

Step by step:

1. configure terminal — enter global configuration mode
2. vlan 20 — creates VLAN 20 (or enters its config if it already exists)
3. name student — assigns a descriptive name (optional but recommended)
4. end — return to privileged EXEC mode

Key details:

• VLAN configuration is stored in vlan.dat on flash (not in running-config for normal range VLANs)
• If you skip the name command, the VLAN gets a default name using zero-padded four-digit format: vlan0020
• The VLAN exists the moment you enter vlan 20 — the name is optional
• You can also use exit instead of end to stay in global config and create more VLANs