H3C Technologies H3C WX6000 Series Access Controllers - Manual (Page 103)

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15
Interface Management
Support of the H3C WX series access controllers for features may vary by device model. For more
information, see "Feature Matrixes" in Compatibility Matrixes.
The sample output in this manual was created on the WX5004. The output on your device may
vary.
The grayed out functions or parameters on the Web interface indicate that they are not supported
or cannot be modified.
The models listed in this manual are not applicable to all regions. Please consult your local sales
office for the models applicable to your region.
Overview
In communications, an external interface (simply referred to as an interface defines a set of methods for
two devices to exchange data and interact with each other. In the broad sense, interfaces fall into
physical interfaces and logical interfaces. Physical interfaces are entities that physically exist and
supported by components. Ethernet interfaces are an example of physical interfaces. Logical interfaces
are interfaces created administratively or automatically by the system for data exchange but they do not
exist in physical forms.
Interface management on the Web-based configuration interface is to manage all physical interfaces on
your device and the following two types of logical interfaces:
Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces, which are physical interfaces operating on the data link layer for
forwarding Layer 2 protocol packets.
Management Ethernet interfaces, which are physical interfaces operating on the network layer.
You can configure IP addresses for them. The administrator can log in to the device through a
management Ethernet interface to manage the device.
Loopback interfaces, that is, logical interfaces whose IP addresses are on the network segment
127.0.0.0. Loopback interfaces are used for receiving packets destined for the local device.
Null interfaces, which are always up but can neither forward data packets nor be configured with an
IP address or any link layer protocol. Any data packets sent to a null interface will be dropped.
VLAN interfaces, which are virtual Layer 3 interfaces used for Layer 3 communications between
VLANs. A VLAN interface corresponds to a VLAN. You can assign an IP address to a VLAN
interface and specify it as the gateway of the corresponding VLAN to forward traffic destined for an
IP network segment different from that of the VLAN.