Pfsense Layer 2 interface
-
Hello,
is there any way to use some ports of pfsense as layer 2 interfaces? I want to throw a switch in my deployment and replace it by using some ports of pfsense as layer 2 ports?Is this feasible?
Best Regards.
-
not sure exactly what you are asking, but if you setup a bridge and add interfaces to it, it is essentially a layer 2 with filtering. For a true switch, set an allow rule with no states.
-
Maybe the attached image can help about what I wish to do. If you have any idea if this is feasible I will appreciate it.
-
Yes you can do that with bridging as Podilarius suggested. The result will be much lower performance than a real switch however, even after moving bridge filtering. If that's not a problem and you have spare NICs you can probably save a few Watts. ;)
See: http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,48947.msg269592.html#msg269592
Steve
-
Yes you can do that with bridging as Podilarius suggested. The result will be much lower performance than a real switch however, even after moving bridge filtering. If that's not a problem and you have spare NICs you can probably save a few Watts. ;)
See: http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,48947.msg269592.html#msg269592
Steve
Thank you for your answer. Why the performance will be much lower? And a last question, I will bridge the layer 2 interfaces that I will create with the layer 3 interface or on their own?
-
Switches are designed to move packets. They are simple things really. pfsense will have processing to do and adds a bit a time for that. So, what happens is that you will get less than line speed. Generally that is not a problem except in highly utilized networks.
Use this as a comparison.
http://forum.pfsense.org/index.php/topic,53185.0.html
