Configuring Ethernet interfaces
Your device supports the following types of Ethernet interfaces:
Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces operating at the data link layer (Layer 2) to switch packets.
Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces operating at the network layer (Layer 3) to route packets. You can assign an IP address to a Layer 3 Ethernet interface.
Layer-configurable Ethernet interfaces—Physical Ethernet interfaces that can be configured to operate in bridge mode as Layer 2 Ethernet interfaces or in route-mode as Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces.
Layer 3 Ethernet subinterfaces—Logical interfaces operating at the network layer. You can assign an IP address to a Layer 3 Ethernet subinterface. By creating subinterfaces on a Layer 3 Ethernet interface, you enable the interface to carry packets for multiple VLANs. For how a Layer 3 Ethernet subinterface sends and receives VLAN-tagged packets, see Layer 2—LAN Switching Configuration Guide.