Layer 2 Bridging

Discussions center on achieving Layer 2 connectivity using bridge interfaces, VXLAN, VLANs, and related techniques as alternatives to routing or NAT, especially for VMs, containers, and VPNs.

📉 Falling 0.4x DevOps & Infrastructure
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#1139
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Keywords

e.g FB13 VXLAN CLI VLAN ARP netdevconf.org ECMP UDP networking.html network routing packets ip nat interfaces firewall networks addresses route

Sample Comments

virtuallynathan Nov 23, 2014 View on HN

I'd guess they are using VXLAN or another similar technology.

vxxzy Feb 14, 2023 View on HN

Does this get you Layer 2 connectivity?

RiverCrochet Dec 4, 2025 View on HN

Whatever you're doing can probably be done faster and simpler with bridge interfaces.

signa11 Dec 5, 2012 View on HN

narus-networks has solved this 'problem' long time ago...

papascrubs Jun 28, 2023 View on HN

Zerotier can do L2 with some of the same limitations (userspace, perf)

throwaway48375 Apr 1, 2022 View on HN

Can't you just use VLAN tagging and firewall rules?

ctrlrsf Sep 23, 2016 View on HN

You would need a large L2 network to support it, or you'd have to route it at L3, which is not trivial.

ju-st Dec 26, 2017 View on HN

Why even use routing instead of switching (bridging network interfaces)?

rnhmjoj May 10, 2024 View on HN

I'm guessing, but I would say it has something to do with the fact they're using a VPN: you may want to route packets between your physical and virtual interface.

sgt Jul 3, 2022 View on HN

Why two VLAN's? Are you worried the traffic is analyzed by the ISP locally?