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.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
=================
Ethernet Bridging
=================
Introduction
============
The IEEE 802.1Q-2022 (Bridges and Bridged Networks) standard defines the
operation of bridges in computer networks. A bridge, in the context of this
standard, is a device that connects two or more network segments and operates
at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection)
model. The purpose of a bridge is to filter and forward frames between
different segments based on the destination MAC (Media Access Control) address.
Bridge kAPI
===========
Here are some core structures of bridge code. Note that the kAPI is *unstable*,
and can be changed at any time.
.. kernel-doc:: net/bridge/br_private.h
:identifiers: net_bridge_vlan
Bridge uAPI
===========
Modern Linux bridge uAPI is accessed via Netlink interface. You can find
below files where the bridge and bridge port netlink attributes are defined.
Bridge netlink attributes
-------------------------
.. kernel-doc:: include/uapi/linux/if_link.h
:doc: Bridge enum definition
Bridge port netlink attributes
------------------------------
.. kernel-doc:: include/uapi/linux/if_link.h
:doc: Bridge port enum definition
Bridge sysfs
------------
The sysfs interface is deprecated and should not be extended if new
options are added.
FAQ
===
What does a bridge do?
----------------------
A bridge transparently forwards traffic between multiple network interfaces.
In plain English this means that a bridge connects two or more physical
Ethernet networks, to form one larger (logical) Ethernet network.
Is it L3 protocol independent?
------------------------------
Yes. The bridge sees all frames, but it *uses* only L2 headers/information.
As such, the bridging functionality is protocol independent, and there should
be no trouble forwarding IPX, NetBEUI, IP, IPv6, etc.
Contact Info
============
The code is currently maintained by Roopa Prabhu <roopa@nvidia.com> and
Nikolay Aleksandrov <razor@blackwall.org>. Bridge bugs and enhancements
are discussed on the linux-netdev mailing list netdev@vger.kernel.org and
bridge@lists.linux-foundation.org.
The list is open to anyone interested: http://vger.kernel.org/vger-lists.html#netdev
External Links
==============
The old Documentation for Linux bridging is on:
https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/networking/bridge
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