NAME
vde_switch - Virtual Distributed Ethernet switch
SYNOPSIS
vde_switch [ -hub ] [ -sock commdirpath ] [ -mod octal-mode ] [ -group
NAME ] [ -tap interface ] [ -daemon ]
DESCRIPTION
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.
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.
NOTICE
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").
SEE ALSO
vde_plug(1), vde_plug2tap(1), vdeq(1), dpipe(1), unixterm(1).
AUTHOR
VDE is a project by Renzo Davoli <renzo@cs.unibo.it>
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.