Preparing a network interface for a direct MacVTap connection

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Prepare a network interface for a configuration as direct MacVTap connection.

Before you begin

libvirt will automatically create a MacVTap interface when you configure a direct connection.

Make sure that the MacVTap kernel modules are loaded, for example by using the lsmod | grep macvtap command.

Procedure

  1. Create a bonded interface to provide high availability.

    See Preparing a bonded interface.

  2. Optional: Create a virtual LAN (VLAN) interface.

    VLAN interfaces provide an isolated communication between the virtual servers that are connected to it.

    Use the ip link add command to create a VLAN on a network interface and to specify a VLAN ID:
    # ip link add link <base-network-if-name> name <vlan-network-if-name>
 type vlan id <VLAN-ID>
    Example:
    Create a virtual LAN interface with VLAN ID 623.
    # ip link add link bond0 name bond0.623 type vlan id 623
# ip link show bond0.623
17: bond0.623@bond0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 
qdisc noqueue state UP mode DEFAULT group default
link/ether 02:00:00:f7:a7:c2 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff