Switch virtual interface
Encyclopedia
A switch virtual interface (SVI) is a VLAN
of switch ports represented by one interface to a routing or bridging system. There is no physical interface for the VLAN and the SVI provides the Layer 3 processing for packets from all switch ports associated with the VLAN.
There is one-to-one mapping between a VLAN and SVI, thus only a single SVI can be mapped to a VLAN. In default setting, an SVI is created for the default VLAN (VLAN1) to permit remote switch administration. An SVI cannot be activated unless associated with a physical port.
SVIs are generally configured for a VLAN for the following reasons:
Virtual LAN
A virtual local area network, virtual LAN or VLAN, is a group of hosts with a common set of requirements that communicate as if they were attached to the same broadcast domain, regardless of their physical location...
of switch ports represented by one interface to a routing or bridging system. There is no physical interface for the VLAN and the SVI provides the Layer 3 processing for packets from all switch ports associated with the VLAN.
There is one-to-one mapping between a VLAN and SVI, thus only a single SVI can be mapped to a VLAN. In default setting, an SVI is created for the default VLAN (VLAN1) to permit remote switch administration. An SVI cannot be activated unless associated with a physical port.
SVIs are generally configured for a VLAN for the following reasons:
- Allow traffic to be routed between VLANs by providing a default gateway for the VLAN.
- Provide fallback bridging (if required for non-routable protocols).
- Provide Layer 3 IP connectivity to the switch.
- Support bridging configurations and routing protocol.