Virtual Wire Interface

Network : Network > Interfaces : Virtual Wire Interface

Virtual Wire Interface

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Network > Interfaces > Ethernet

A virtual wire logically binds two Ethernet interfaces together, allowing for all traffic to pass between the interfaces, or just traffic with selected VLAN tags (no other switching or routing services are available). You can create virtual wire subinterfaces to classify traffic according to an IP address, IP range, or subnet. A virtual wire requires no changes to adjacent network devices. A virtual wire can bind two Ethernet interfaces of the same medium (both copper or both fiber optic), or bind a copper interface to a fiber optic interface.

To set up a virtual wire, decide which two interfaces to bind (Network > Interfaces > Ethernet) and configure their settings as described in the following table.

CAUTION:

If you are using an existing interface for the virtual wire, first remove the interface from any associated security zone.

Virtual Wire Interface Setting

Configured In

Description

Interface Name

Ethernet Interface

The interface name is predefined and you cannot change it.

Comment

Enter an optional description for the interface.

Interface Type

Select Virtual Wire.

Virtual Wire

Ethernet Interface > Config

Select a virtual wire, or click Virtual Wire to define a new one (Network > Virtual Wires). Select None to remove the current virtual wire assignment from the interface.

Virtual System

If the firewall supports multiple virtual systems and that capability is enabled, select a virtual system for the interface or click Virtual System to define a new vsys.

Security Zone

Select a security zone for the interface, or click Zone to define a new zone. Select None to remove the current zone assignment from the interface.

Link Speed

Ethernet Interface > Advanced > Link Settings

Select the interface speed in Mbps, or select auto to have the firewall automatically determine the speed.

Link Duplex

Select whether the interface transmission mode is full-duplex (full), half-duplex (half), or negotiated automatically (auto). Both interfaces in the virtual wire must have the same transmission mode.

Link State

Select whether the interface status is enabled (up), disabled (down), or determined automatically (auto).

PoE Rsvd Pwr

Ethernet Interface > Advanced > PoE Settings

(Supported firewalls only)

Select the amount of allocated power in Watts if PoE is enabled.

PoE Enable

Select to enable PoE on this interface.

CAUTION:
When using Panorama, non-PoE interfaces display the option to enable or disable PoE. To avoid a commit failure, ensure that PoE Enable remains selected on these non-PoE interfaces.

Enable LLDP

Ethernet Interface > Advanced > LLDP

Select to enable Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) on the interface. LLDP functions at the link layer to discover neighboring devices and their capabilities.

Profile

If LLDP is enabled, select an LLDP profile to assign to the interface or click LLDP Profile to create a new profile (see Network > Network Profiles > LLDP Profile). Select None to configure the firewall to use global defaults.

Enable in HA Passive State

If LLDP is enabled, select to configure an HA passive firewall to pre-negotiate LLDP with its peer before the firewall becomes active.

If LLDP is not enabled, select to configure an HA passive firewall to simply pass LLDP packets through the firewall.

Parent topic

Network > Interfaces

Virtual Wire Interface Setting	Configured In	Description
Interface Name	Ethernet Interface	The interface name is predefined and you cannot change it.
Comment		Enter an optional description for the interface.
Interface Type		Select Virtual Wire.
Virtual Wire	Ethernet Interface > Config	Select a virtual wire, or click Virtual Wire to define a new one (Network > Virtual Wires). Select None to remove the current virtual wire assignment from the interface.
Virtual System		If the firewall supports multiple virtual systems and that capability is enabled, select a virtual system for the interface or click Virtual System to define a new vsys.
Security Zone		Select a security zone for the interface, or click Zone to define a new zone. Select None to remove the current zone assignment from the interface.
Link Speed	Ethernet Interface > Advanced > Link Settings	Select the interface speed in Mbps, or select auto to have the firewall automatically determine the speed.
Link Duplex		Select whether the interface transmission mode is full-duplex (full), half-duplex (half), or negotiated automatically (auto). Both interfaces in the virtual wire must have the same transmission mode.
Link State		Select whether the interface status is enabled (up), disabled (down), or determined automatically (auto).
PoE Rsvd Pwr	Ethernet Interface > Advanced > PoE Settings (Supported firewalls only)	Select the amount of allocated power in Watts if PoE is enabled.
PoE Enable		Select to enable PoE on this interface. CAUTION: When using Panorama, non-PoE interfaces display the option to enable or disable PoE. To avoid a commit failure, ensure that PoE Enable remains selected on these non-PoE interfaces.
Enable LLDP	Ethernet Interface > Advanced > LLDP	Select to enable Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) on the interface. LLDP functions at the link layer to discover neighboring devices and their capabilities.
Profile		If LLDP is enabled, select an LLDP profile to assign to the interface or click LLDP Profile to create a new profile (see Network > Network Profiles > LLDP Profile). Select None to configure the firewall to use global defaults.
Enable in HA Passive State		If LLDP is enabled, select to configure an HA passive firewall to pre-negotiate LLDP with its peer before the firewall becomes active. If LLDP is not enabled, select to configure an HA passive firewall to simply pass LLDP packets through the firewall.