vde_switch (1)

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.