vde_switch - Virtual Distributed Ethernet switch
vde_switch [
-hub ] [
-sock commdirpath ] [
-mod octal-mode ] [
-group NAME ] [
-tap
interface ] [
-daemon ]
A
vde_switch is a virtual switch for the vde architecture.
A vde network can include several vde_switches running on different (real)
computers. vde_switches can be connected by vde cables (see
vde_plug
(1) ).
Supported architecture for VDE end nodes include: real linux boxes (through the
tuntap interface), bochs, qemu and MPS virtual machines.
VDE is useful to create networks of heterogeneous virtual machines as well as as
a general tunneling tool -- all the ethernet based protocols work by this kind
of tunnel -- and also as a tool for mobility. In fact VDE creates an overlay
network where users can keep their IP addresses despite of the change of IP
addresses on the interfaces.
vde_switch needs root privileges to open a tap interface, can be run by users
when no -tap option is specified.
vde-2 has several features: VLAN, Fast Spanning Tree Protocol, command line
management (on console for foreground switches, on a terminal for daemonized
switches). If a vde_switch run in foreground mode simply type return to have
the prompt. For daemons there is the -M option to specify the management
socket. Unixterm is the tool to start a terminal for the management. Type
"help" at the prompt for a list of possible options.
- -hub
- turn off the switch engine. It operates as a hub.
- -sock commdirpath
- specify the directory when comm socket are created. The
default value is "/tmp/vde.ctl"
- -mod octalmode
- specify the octal permissions for the comm sockets.
- -group NAME
- specify the group owner for the comm socket. The default
value is the current user's primary group
- -tap interface
- connect the specified tuntap interface to this vde_switch
(needs root privileges) It is possible to specify several tap interfaces,
comma separated.
- -daemon
- Run as a daemon. Use syslog for logging.
- -f rcfile
- rc file to set the initial switch configuration. This rc
file has the same syntax of the command line interface.
- -h
- help. Please use it for a more complete list of options.
vde_switch is a modular program, options vary depending of the compiled-in
modules.
Virtual Distributed Ethernet is not related in any way with
www.vde.com
("Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik"
i.e. the German "Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information
Technologies").
vde_plug(1),
vde_plug2tap(1),
vdeq(1),
dpipe(1),
unixterm(1).
VDE is a project by Renzo Davoli <
[email protected]>
VDE started as an enhancement of uml_switch by Jeff Dike and others. VDE-2 has
been almost completely rewritten but maybe some statements come from the
historical source. So, some copyright and thanks also for Dike&Co.