3
Configuring Ethernet interfaces
Your device supports the following types of Ethernet interfaces:
•Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces operating at the data link layer
(Layer 2) to switch packets.
•Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces operating at the network layer
(Layer 3) to route packets. You can assign an IP address to a Layer 3 Ethernet interface.
•Layer-configurable Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces that can be configured
to operate in bridge mode as Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces or in route mode as Layer 3 Ethernet
interfaces.
•Layer 3 Ethernet subinterfaces—Logical interfaces operating at the network layer. You can
assign an IP address to a Layer 3 Ethernet subinterface. On a Layer 3 Ethernet interface, you
can create multiple Layer 3 subinterfaces.
Configuring common Ethernet interface settings
This section describes the settings common to Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces, Layer 3 Ethernet
interfaces, and Layer 3 Ethernet subinterfaces. For more information about the settings specific to
Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces or subinterfaces, see "Configuring a Layer 2 Ethernet interface." For
more information about the settings specific to Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces or subinterfaces, see
"Configuring a Layer 3 Ethernet interface or subinterface."
Ethernet interface naming conventions
When the switches operate in standalone mode, the Ethernet interfaces are named in the format of
interface-type A/B/C, where the following definitions apply:
•A—Represents the slot number of a card.
•B—Represents the number of a subcard on a card. If the card has no subcards, this value is 0.
•C—Represents the number of an interface.
When the switches operate in IRF mode, the Ethernet interfaces are named in the format of
interface-type A/B/C/D, where the following definitions apply:
•A—Represents the member ID of an IRF member switch. This value is 1 or 2.
•B—Represents the slot number of the card.
•C—Represents the number of a subcard on a card. If the card has no subcards, this value is 0.
•D—Represents the number of an interface.
Configuring a combo interface (single combo interface)
A combo interface is a logical interface that physically comprises one fiber combo port and one
copper combo port. The two ports share one forwarding channel and one interface view. As a result,
they cannot work simultaneously. When you activate one port, the other port is automatically
disabled. In the interface view, you can activate the fiber or copper combo port, and configure other
port attributes such as the interface rate and duplex mode.
Configuration prerequisites
Before you configure combo interfaces, complete the following tasks:
•Determine the combo interfaces on your device. Identify the two physical interfaces that belong
to each combo interface according to the marks on the device panel.
