Bridge with netctl

This article or section is a candidate for merging with Network bridge.

Notes: I suggest to move the netctl-specific parts of this article into a subsection of "Network bridge" (Discuss in Talk:Bridge with netctl)

Make sure netctl is installed.

Copy /etc/netctl/examples/bridge to /etc/netctl/bridge.

In this example, we create a bridge called br0 which has real Ethernet adapter eth0 and (optionally) a tap device tap0 connected to it. Of course, edit br0, eth0 and tap0 to your needs.

/etc/netctl/bridge

Description="Example Bridge connection"
Interface=br0
Connection=bridge
BindsToInterfaces=(eth0 tap0)
IP=dhcp

This example creates a statically assigned bridge called br0 which has real Ethernet adapter eth0 connected to it. Edit Interface, BindsToInterfaces, Address, and Gateway to your needs.

 /etc/netctl/bridge

Description="Example Bridge connection"
Interface=br0
Connection=bridge
BindsToInterfaces=(eth0)
MACAddress=eth0
IP=static
Address='192.168.10.20/24'
Gateway='192.168.10.200'
## Ignore (R)STP and immediately activate the bridge
SkipForwardingDelay=yes

Tip: If you are using static IP, see man pages of netctl, and also edit /etc/resolv.conf if necessary.

You can bridge any combination of network devices editing BindsToInterfaces option.

If any of the bridged devices (e.g. eth0, tap0) had dhcpcd enabled, stop and disable the [email protected] daemon. Or set IP=no to the netctl profiles.

Finally, start and enable your /etc/netctl/bridge.