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.