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VDE_SWITCH(1)          DragonFly General Commands Manual         VDE_SWITCH(1)


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.

       -nostdin
              Allow stdin to be closed.

       -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.

Virtual Distributed Ethernet   December 6, 2006                  VDE_SWITCH(1)

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