Virtual network device (venet) is the default network device for a container. This network device looks like a point-to-point connection between container and the host system. It does packet switching based on IP header. This is a default network device for container (an alternative is veth device).
Venet drop ip-packets from the container with a source address, and in the container with the destination address, which is not corresponding to an ip-address of the container.
Venet device is created automatically on container start. Vzctl scripts set up an appropriate IP address and other settings on venet inside a container.
Contents
Usage
Kernel module
First of all, check that vznetdev module is loaded:
# lsmod | grep vznetdev
If it is not, load the module:
# modprobe vznetdev
You might want to check /etc/init.d/vz script to make sure the module gets loaded during startup.
Adding IP address to a container
vzctl set <CTID> --ipadd <IP1>[,<IP2>,...] [--save]
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Note: This option is incremental, so IP addresses are added to already existing ones. |
Example
vzctl set 101 --ipadd 10.0.0.1 --save
After executing this command IP address 10.0.0.1 will be added to container 101 and IP configuration will be saved to a container configuration file.
Removing IP address from a container
vzctl set <CTID> --ipdel <IP1>[,<IP2>,...] [--save] vzctl set <CTID> --ipdel all [--save]
Example
vzctl set 101 --ipdel 10.0.0.1
After executing this command IP address 10.0.0.1 will be removed from container 101, but IP configuration will not be changed in container config file. And after container reboot IP address 10.0.0.1 will be assigned to this container again.
sysctl
You will need to configure some sysctl parameters to get your venet devices working. Please have a look at the Quick installation#sysctl section.
IPv6
venet does not fully support IPv6. You'll need to use the veth bridging device if you want full IPv6 compliance. See the VEs and HNs in same subnets article for an example.
Specific aspects of venet network device
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Note: If you require a feature which venet is lacking (from the list below), please consider using veth. |
No ARP protocol support
Venet network device is explicitly NOARP, so there is no MAC address. Consequently, it's not possible to make broadcasts inside a container, so software like Samba server or DHCP server will not function (under a container with a venet network device).
No bridge support
Venet network device cannot be bridged together and/or with other devices.
No possiblity to assign an IP from the CT
With venet device, only OpenVZ hardware node administrator can assign an IP address to a container.