What You Need To Know About Interfaces - ZyXEL Communications ZyWALL USG 300 User Manual

Unified security gateway

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Table of Contents

Chapter 10 Interface

10.1.2 What You Need to Know About Interfaces

Interface Characteristics

Interfaces generally have the following characteristics (although not all characteristics apply

to each type of interface).

• An interface is a logical entity through which (layer-3) packets pass.

• An interface is bound to a physical port or another interface.

• Many interfaces can share the same physical port.

• An interface belongs to at most one zone.

• Many interfaces can belong to the same zone.

• Layer-3 virtualization (IP alias, for example) is a kind of interface.

Types of Interfaces

You can create several types of interfaces in the ZyWALL.

• Port groups create a hardware connection between physical ports at the layer-2 (data link,

MAC address) level.

• Ethernet interfaces are the foundation for defining other interfaces and network policies.

RIP and OSPF are also configured in these interfaces.

• VLAN interfaces receive and send tagged frames. The ZyWALL automatically adds or

removes the tags as needed. Each VLAN can only be associated with one Ethernet

• Bridge interfaces create a software connection between Ethernet or VLAN interfaces at

the layer-2 (data link, MAC address) level. Unlike port groups, bridge interfaces can take

advantage of some security features in the ZyWALL. You can also assign an IP address

and subnet mask to the bridge.

• PPP interfaces support Point-to-Point Protocols (PPP). ISP accounts are required for

PPPoE/PPTP interfaces.

• Cellular interfaces are for 3G WAN connections via a connected 3G device.

• Virtual interfaces provide additional routing information in the ZyWALL. There are

three types: virtual Ethernet interfaces, virtual VLAN interfaces, and virtual bridge

• 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 AUX port.

• Trunks manage load balancing between interfaces.

ZyWALL USG 300 User's Guide