If multiple virtual interfaces are created, these interfaces can share one or all physical interfaces. This is called "sharing physical interface".
Using this capability, it is possible to:
Decrease the number of NICs used for the redundancy operation, and make effective use of limited resource in Fast switching mode.
Configuring multiple IP addresses on a single NIC in NIC switching mode and use different IP address for each application.
In the virtual interface, which institutes Fast switching mode, one portion or entire physical interfaces can be shared. Though, sharing is not possible for the physical interface and virtual interface of NIC switching mode and GS/SURE linkage mode.
Figure 2.20 Example of sharing physical interface (1) shows an example of three virtual interfaces in Fast switching mode, sha0, sha1, and sha2 sharing three physical interfaces hme1, hme2, and hme3.
Figure 2.20 Example of sharing physical interface (1)
GLS: Global Link Services
Within several virtual interfaces of NIC switching mode (logical IP takeover), if all the names of the physical interfaces and the values of the physical IP addresses are equivalent, then it is possible to share the physical interface. Sharing a portion of physical interface is not allowed. Nevertheless, sharing is not possible for NIC switching mode (physical IP takeover). In addition, sharing physical interface with the virtual interface is not possible for Fast switching mode and GS/SURE linkage mode.
Figure 2.21 Example of sharing physical interface (2) shows an example of three virtual interfaces sha0, sha1 and sha2 (all in NIC switching mode) sharing two physical interfaces hme1, and hme2.
Note
Assign the same network address to the virtual interfaces that share the physical interface.
Figure 2.21 Example of sharing physical interface (2)
GLS: Global Link Services
Cannot share physical interface.
In Fast switching mode, NIC sharing is not possible within the virtual interface that can have IPv6 address. NIC sharing is possible between the virtual interfaces, which can have IPv4 address, or virtual interfaces, which can have IPv6 address and the virtual interfaces, which can have IPv4 address.
