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.

Virtual Distributed Ethernet                    December 6, 2006                                   VDE_SWITCH(1)