What You Need To Know - ZyXEL Communications ZyWALL 1100 User Manual

9.1.2 What You Need to Know

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/USG.
• Setting interfaces to the same port role forms a port group. Port groups creates a hardware
connection between physical ports at the layer-2 (data link, MAC address) level. Port groups are
created when you uUse the Interface > Port Roles or Interface > Port Groups screen to set
multiple physical ports to be part of the same interface.
• Ethernet interfaces are the foundation for defining other interfaces and network policies. RIP
and OSPF are also configured in these interfaces.
• Tunnel interfaces send IPv4 or IPv6 packets from one network to a specific network through
the Internet or a public network.
• VLAN interfaces receive and send tagged frames. The ZyWALL/USG automatically adds or
removes the tags as needed. Each VLAN can only be associated with one Ethernet interface.
• 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/USG. 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 mobile broadband WAN connections via a connected mobile
broadband device.
• Virtual interfaces provide additional routing information in the ZyWALL/USG. There are three
types: virtual Ethernet interfaces, virtual VLAN interfaces, and virtual bridge interfaces.
• Trunk interfaces manage load balancing between interfaces.
Port groups and trunks have a lot of characteristics that are specific to each type of interface. The
other types of interfaces--Ethernet, PPP, cellular, VLAN, bridge, and virtual--have a lot of similar
Chapter 9 Interfaces
ZyWALL/USG Series User's Guide
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