VDE_SWITCH(1)

📦
version 2.3.3 · 2 versions
, in alpine 3.24, arch rolling, nixos 26.05, nixpkgs unstable

✨ VDE_SWITCH(1) ✨

okay so bestie, let me tell you about vde_switch — the main character of this whole manual. it's the Virtual Distributed Ethernet switch and it's literally iconic. 👑

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

vde_switch [ -hub ] [ -sock commdirpath ] [ -mod octal-mode ] [ -group NAME ] [ -tap interface ] [ -daemon ]

💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

so like, a vde_switch is a virtual switch for the vde architecture. a vde network can have several vde_switches running on different (real!) computers, and they can be connected by vde cables — see vde_plug(1) for that tea. 🫶

the supported architecture for VDE end nodes includes: real linux boxes (through the tuntap interface), bochs, qemu, and MPS virtual machines. VDE is useful for creating networks of heterogeneous virtual machines, as a general tunneling tool (all the ethernet based protocols work through this kind of tunnel — no cap), and also as a tool for mobility. in fact, VDE creates an overlay network where users can keep their IP addresses despite the change of IP addresses on the interfaces. it's giving stable identity in a chaotic world. 💅

vde_switch needs root privileges to open a tap interface, but 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 runs in foreground mode, simply type return to get the prompt. for daemons there's 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. it's literally so easy. 😭

✨ OPTIONS ✨

  • -hub — turn off the switch engine. it operates as a hub. honestly kind of a downgrade but okay. 🙈
  • -sock commdirpath — specify the directory where comm sockets are created. the default value is "/tmp/vde.ctl". lowkey iconic default. 🎀
  • -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. so many options, so much power. 🔥
  • -daemon — run as a daemon. use syslog for logging. very independent, very mysterious. 💜
  • -f rcfile — rc file to set the initial switch configuration. this rc file has the same syntax as the command line interface.
  • -nostdin — allow stdin to be closed. setting boundaries, love that for us. 🦋
  • -h — help. please use it for a more complete list of options. vde_switch is a modular program, options vary depending on the compiled-in modules. so don't come for it if your build is different, iykyk. 🌈

🚨 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"). just to be crystal clear bestie, they are NOT the same. periodt. 💀

👀 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. we love a collaborative origin story. 🫶

that's the whole vibe bestie. vde_switch is out here creating virtual networks, keeping your IPs stable, and looking good doing it. now go forth and switch. 💅✨

Virtual Distributed Ethernet — December 6, 2006 — VDE_SWITCH(1)

📦 where this page comes from