ZyXEL Communications 1000 User Manual

Chapter 13 Interfaces

ZyWALL USG 1000 User’s Guide

Each section in this screen is described below.

This screen lists every Ethernet interface and virtual interface created on top of 
Ethernet interfaces. To access this screen, click Configuration > Network > 
Interface.

Unlike other types of interfaces, you cannot create new Ethernet interfaces nor 
can you delete any of them. If an Ethernet interface does not have any physical 
ports assigned to it (see 

), the Ethernet interface is 

effectively removed from the ZyWALL, but you can still configure it.

Ethernet interfaces are similar to other types of interfaces in many ways. They 
have an IP address, subnet mask, and gateway used to make routing decisions. 
They restrict the amount of bandwidth and packet size. They can provide DHCP 
services, and they can verify the gateway is available.

Use Ethernet interfaces to control which physical ports exchange routing 
information with other routers and how much information is exchanged through 
each one. The more routing information is exchanged, the more efficient the 
routers should be. However, the routers also generate more network traffic, and 
some routing protocols require a significant amount of configuration and 
management. The ZyWALL supports two routing protocols, RIP and OSPF. See 

 for background information about these routing 

protocols.

Table 57   Configuration > Network > Interface > Port Grouping Role

Representative 
Interface (ge1, 
ge2, ge3, ge4, 
ge5, ge6)

These are Ethernet interfaces. To add a physical port to a 
representative interface, drag the physical port onto the 
corresponding representative interface.

Physical Port (1, 
2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

These are the physical ports as they appear on the front panel of the 
ZyWALL. To add a physical port to a representative interface, drag the 
physical port onto the corresponding representative interface.

Apply

Click this button to save your changes and apply them to the ZyWALL.

Reset

Click this button to change the port groups to their current 
configuration (last-saved values).