Configuring the Components of Network Virtualization

In Oracle Solaris 11, etherstubs and VNICs are the basic components of network virtualization. This section describes the steps to configure these components in preparation for building the virtual network. For a description of these components, see Components of Network Virtualization.

The following procedures are described:

How to Configure VNICs and Etherstubs
How to Configure VNICs With VLAN IDs

How to Configure VNICs and Etherstubs

The VNIC connects the virtual network to the external network. The VNIC also enables the zones to communicate with one another through the virtual switch that is automatically created with the VNIC. For a virtual network to host traffic internally between zones and with the external LAN and the Internet, each zone must have its own interface. Therefore, you must repeat this procedure as many times as the number of zones that will belong to the virtual network.

Become an administrator.
For more information, see How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.
(Optional) Create the etherstub.
```
# dladm create-etherstub etherstub
```
Perform this step only if you are creating a private virtual network which you want to restrict from being accessed by external systems. For a description of a private virtual network, see Overview of Network Virtualization.
Just like any datalink, you can name the etherstub in any way that is meaningful to your network setup. For guidelines on creating customized names, see Rules for Valid Link Names in Introduction to Oracle Solaris 11 Networking.
Create the VNIC.
```
# dladm create-vnic -l datalink [-v vid] vnic
```
If you are creating the VNIC for a private virtual network, then specify an etherstub for datalink. Include the -v vid in the command syntax only if you are creating the VNIC as a VLAN, where vid refers to the VNIC's VLAN ID. Otherwise, omit this option.
If you are creating a VNIC as a VLAN, refer to How to Configure VNICs With VLAN IDs for additional steps that are specific to VNICs as VLANs.
You can assign any name to the VNIC. To assign customized names to VNICs, see Rules for Valid Link Names in Introduction to Oracle Solaris 11 Networking.
Create an IP interface over the VNIC.
```
# ipadm create-ip interface
```
Assign a static IP address to the VNIC interface.
```
# ipadm create-addr -a address interface
```
-a address

Specifies the IP address, which can be in CIDR notation.

interface

Specifies the VNIC that you created in the previous step.

The static IP address can be either IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. For more information about configuring IP addresses, see How to Configure an IP Interface in Connecting Systems Using Fixed Network Configuration in Oracle Solaris 11.1.
For more information about configuring IP addresses, see How to Configure an IP Interface in Connecting Systems Using Fixed Network Configuration in Oracle Solaris 11.1.
Add the address information to the /etc/hosts file.

How to Configure VNICs With VLAN IDs

In the virtual network, you can configure VNICs with VLAN IDs to host VLAN traffic. You also set the link property vlan-announce to propagate the VLAN configurations of each individual VNIC to the network.

Unlike a regular VLAN link, the VNIC configured as a VLAN has its own MAC address. For information about non-VNIC VLANs, see Chapter 3, Working With VLANs, in Managing Oracle Solaris 11.1 Network Performance.

Note - The following procedure contains only the steps to create the VNIC with a VLAN ID and to set the appropriate properties that enable the VNIC to service VLAN traffic. Although intermediary ports and switches are automatically updated when you enable the property, the endpoints must be separately configured to define VLANs at these points.

Become an administrator.
For more information, see How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.
Create a VNIC with a VLAN ID.
```
# dladm create-vnic -l link -v vid vnic
```
Broadcast the VNIC's VLAN configuration to the network.
```
# dladm set-linkprop -p vlan-announce=gvrp link
```
This step enables a GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) client system that automatically registers VLAN IDs with attached switches. By default, the vlan-announce property is set to off, and no VLAN broadcast messages are sent to the network. After you set the property to gvrp, then the VLAN configuration for that link is propagated to enable automatic VLAN port configuration of the network devices. VLAN traffic can thus be accepted and forwarded by these devices.
(Optional) To configure the wait period between VLAN broadcasts, set the gvrp-timeout property.
```
# dladm set-linkprop -p gvrp-timeout=time link
```
where time is in milliseconds. The default value is 250 milliseconds. A system with a heavy load might require a shorter interval when rebroadcasting VLAN information. This property enables you to adjust the interval.
(Optional) To display the values of the properties vlan-announce and gvrp-timeout, use the following command:
```
# dladm show-linkprop -p vlan-announce,gvrp-timeout
```

Example 2-1 Configuring a VNIC as a VLAN

This example creates a VNIC with a VLAN ID and enables the VLAN configuration to be announced to the network.

# dladm create-vnic -l net0 -v 123 vnic0
# dladm set-linkprop -p vlan-announce=gvrp net0
# dladm show-linkprop -p vlan-announce,gvrp-timeout net0
LINK    PROPERTY        PERM   VALUE   DEFAULT   POSSIBLE
net0    vlan-announce   rw     gvrp    off       gvrp,off
net0    gvrp-timeout    rw     250     250       --

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