ZyXEL Communications 1050 - Relationships between Interfaces

Chapter 5 Interfaces
ZyWALL (ZLD) CLI Reference Guide
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•The auxiliary interface, along with an external modem, provides an interface the
ZyWALL can use to dial out. This interface can be used as a backup WAN interface, for
example. The auxiliary interface controls the DIAL BACKUP port (labeled AUX on
some models).
• Trunks manage load balancing between interfaces.
Port groups, trunks, and the auxiliary interface have a lot of characteristics that are specific to
each type of interface. These characteristics are listed in the following table and discussed in
more detail below.
* - The format of interface names is strict. Each name consists of 2-4 letters (interface type), followed by a
number (x, limited by the maximum number of each type of interface). For example, Ethernet interface
names are ge1, ge2, ge3, ...; VLAN interfaces are vlan0, vlan1, vlan2, ...; and so on.
** - The names of virtual interfaces are derived from the interfaces on which they are created. For example,
virtual interfaces created on Ethernet interface ge1 are called ge1:1, ge1:2, and so on. Virtual interfaces
created on VLAN interface vlan2 are called vlan2:1, vlan2:2, and so on. You cannot specify the number
after the colon(:) in the web configurator; it is a sequential number. You can specify the number after the
colon if you use the CLI to set up a virtual Interface Parameters
5.1.2 Relationships Between Interfaces
In the ZyWALL, interfaces are usually created on top of other interfaces. Only Ethernet
interfaces are created directly on top of the physical ports (or port groups). The relationships
between interfaces are explained in the following table.
Table 10 Characteristics of Ethernet, VLAN, Bridge, PPPoE/PPTP, and Virtual Interfaces
CHARACTERISTICS ETHERNET VLAN BRIDGE PPPOE/PPTP VIRTUAL
Name* gex vlanx brx pppx **
IP Address Assignment
static IP address
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DHCP client Yes Yes Yes Yes No
routing metric
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Interface Parameters
bandwidth restrictions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
packet size (MTU)
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
traffic prioritization Yes Yes Yes Yes No
DHCP
DHCP server
Yes Yes Yes No No
DHCP relay Yes Yes Yes No No
Ping Check Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Table 11 Relationships Between Different Types of Interfaces
INTERFACE
REQUIRED PORT /
INTERFACE
auxiliary interface auxiliary port
port group physical port
Ethernet interface physical port
port group
VLAN interface Ethernet interface