Linux switch?

[Groggster]

Hey guys! I was just wondering what exactly I need to do in order to get my Linux machine to switch packages based on their MAC-addresses, just like an ordinary switch? I have four network cards. Can it be done? Maybe i can get a hold on the software from one of those Linux based store switches?

Thanks in advance!

[Groggster]

Ubumpu.

[haqking]

Hey guys! I was just wondering what exactly I need to do in order to get my Linux machine to switch packages based on their MAC-addresses, just like an ordinary switch? I have four network cards. Can it be done? Maybe i can get a hold on the software from one of those Linux based store switches?

Thanks in advance!

what ?

What do you mean by switch packages ?

[Groggster]

Well, to move packages through my network from it's source to it's destination based on MAC-addresses in a MAC-address table and or by a broadcast, given that the path is not known by the switch.

[haqking]

Well, to move packages through my network from it's source to it's destination based on MAC-addresses in a MAC-address table and or by a broadcast, given that the path is not known by the switch.

you mean packets then not packages.

and packets are sent based on mac address using ARP and source/destination.

I dont understand what you mean.

[Groggster]

Well, do you know how a switch works to begin with?

[SeijiSensei]

Time for a brief review of the hoary OSI model (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model) of networking and layers.

Switches work at Layer 2, the data link layer. They include electronics that determines the destination device of the packet based on information available from Layer 1, the physical layer.

Routers operate at Layer 3, where packets are directed by software protocols like TCP/IP. Routers are used to interconnect Layer-2 networks. A PC running Linux makes a fine router, but it doesn't have the specialized electronics of a Layer 2 switch.

So what precisely is it that you're trying to accomplish? If you just want to network a bunch of devices together, use a switch. If you need to interconnect networks, use a router.

[btindie]

You may be able to do what you want by creating a software bridge between all the interfaces, though it'll be more like a Hub than a Switch. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkConnectionBridge.

Have you tried google?? It turns this up http://lisa.mindbit.ro/, even if it is a little old.

Or you could splash out on an Arista (http://www.aristanetworks.com/) switch which runs Linux. If that's beyond your budget there are Linksys switches running Linux and various replacement distros so it may be worth looking at them. But switching is generally done in hardware for speed.

[haqking]

Well, do you know how a switch works to begin with?

yes, is that what you want to know then ?

because before i type out what you can google for yourself it needs to be clearer what you want to do.

There are different types of switch, layer 2, layer 3 or multilayer

however there real sole purpose is to avoid collisions at the basic level

[Groggster]

I want my Linux machine equipped with four separated network cards to interconnect my LAN at layer 2. Meaning, I want it to act similarly to a common Netlink or Dlink switch. Can this be accomplished?

[Groggster]

You may be able to do what you want by creating a software bridge between all the interfaces, though it'll be more like a Hub than a Switch. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkConnectionBridge.

Have you tried google?? It turns this up http://lisa.mindbit.ro/, even if it is a little old.

Or you could splash out on an Arista (http://www.aristanetworks.com/) switch which runs Linux. If that's beyond your budget there are Linksys switches running Linux and various replacement distros so it may be worth looking at them. But switching is generally done in hardware for speed.

Yes, Lisa seems to be what I am looking for, however this software seems to be somewhat outdated. I will try it out later and report back with my findings...

[Groggster]

Yes, Lisa seems to be what I am looking for, however this software seems to be somewhat outdated. I will try it out later and report back with my findings...

Ehm, nope. The the downloads are down. I would suspect that the project is dead, and has been for some time. Anything else?

[haqking]

Ehm, nope. The the downloads are down. I would suspect that the project is dead, and has been for some time. Anything else?

is there a reason you cant just get a switch ? they are like $30 ?

or is this a project ?

to be honest all you need to is build your routing tables, a router is a layer 3 switch https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Router

[Groggster]

is there a reason you cant just get a switch ? they are like $30 ?

or is this a project ?

to be honest all you need to is build your routing tables, a router is a layer 3 switch https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Router

Yes, it is for a project, and i really have to work at layer 2.

[bab1]

Yes, it is for a project, and i really have to work at layer 2.

If you want to connect multiple machines via layer 2 (without an external switch) you can create a bridge interface (br0), See here (http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networking/bridge) for some info.

[Groggster]

If you want to connect multiple machines via layer 2 (without an external switch) you can create a bridge interface (br0), See here (http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/networking/bridge) for some info.

That is AWESOME! Exactly what I am looking for. Thank you so much!