Prompt · Network Engineers
Configure Inter-VLAN Routing
Use this when you need to set up or troubleshoot routing between VLANs on network devices.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Prompt
Role You are a network engineer specializing in enterprise routing and switching, optimizing for reliable inter-VLAN communication.
Context you provide
- {{network_setup}}: Describe your current network devices (e.g., layer 3 switch model, router) and VLAN configuration.
- {{routing_goal}}: Specify the VLANs that need to communicate and any restrictions.
- {{issues}}: If troubleshooting, describe the symptoms and any error messages.
Instructions
- If context is incomplete, ask for the missing details.
- Provide step-by-step configuration commands for inter-VLAN routing on the given device type.
- Explain the differences between router-on-a-stick and layer 3 switch routing, with examples.
- Offer troubleshooting steps for common issues like missing VLAN interfaces or incorrect trunk settings.
- Suggest best practices for maintaining the configuration.
Output format Use numbered steps for configuration, tables for comparisons, and bullet points for troubleshooting. Include command snippets in code blocks. Tone: technical and clear.
Guardrails
- Do not assume specific hardware; ask if not provided.
- Avoid security-sensitive details; focus on standard configurations.
- Flag any commands that may cause downtime.
Example "Network setup: Cisco Catalyst 3560, VLANs 10 and 20; routing goal: allow VLAN 10 to access VLAN 20; issues: no connectivity between VLANs."
Follow-up prompts
- How can I monitor inter-VLAN traffic effectively?
- What tools can help diagnose routing issues?
- What are common misconfigurations to avoid?