---
lastproofread: '2026-03-05'
---

(pseudo-ethernet-interface)=

# MACVLAN (pseudo-Ethernet)

MACVLAN, or pseudo-Ethernet interfaces, operate as logical subinterfaces of
standard Ethernet interfaces. Each subinterface has a unique MAC address but
shares a single physical Ethernet port.
That allows the user to send packets from different source IPv4 or IPv6 addresses
using a different MAC address.

Pseudo-Ethernet interfaces behave like physical Ethernet interfaces. They
support IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, can obtain IP addresses through DHCP or
DHCPv6, and are mapped to a physical Ethernet port. They inherit
characteristics such as speed and duplex from their parent interface and can
be referenced like standard Ethernet interfaces once created.

```{eval-rst}
Pseudo-Ethernet interfaces may not work in environments that require a
   :abbr:`NIC (Network Interface Card)` to have only one MAC address.
   This includes:

   * VMware machines with default settings.
   * Network switches that permit only a single MAC address.
   * xDSL modems that learn the NIC's MAC address.
```

## Configuration

### Common interface configuration

```{cmdincludemd} /_include/interface-common-with-dhcp.txt
:var0: pseudo-ethernet
:var1: peth0
```

### MACVLAN (pseudo-Ethernet) options

```{cfgcmd} set interfaces pseudo-ethernet \<interface\> source-interface \<ethX\>

Assign a physical Ethernet interface to the specified pseudo-Ethernet interface.
```

### VLAN

```{cmdincludemd} /_include/interface-vlan-8021q.txt
:var0: pseudo-ethernet
:var1: peth0
```