What is the difference between Bridged and Routed modes

Question

What is the difference between Bridged and Routed modes

Answer

Depending on your network configuration, you can choose between the following network types of a compute resource:

• The routed network means virtual servers don’t connect directly to the physical network. The compute resource’s operating system routes the servers’ traffic to the physical network (the compute resource works as the gateway). If you select the routed network, the server’s MAC address isn’t exposed to the physical network.

  You can use a routed network if you need to use the whole range of IP addresses (especially a small one) given by your hosting provider.

  Note: By default, each created compute resource gets the routed network type.

• A bridged network means that virtual servers get direct access to the physical network. In the bridged network, the IP addresses of a server and the gateway must be within the same IP network. For example, if the gateway’s IP address 192.168.1.1 is within the IP network 192.168.1.0/24, then the server’s IP address must be also within the 192.168.1.0/24 network (for example, 192.168.1.2). The server’s MAC address is exposed to the physical network if you select the bridged network.

  Use a bridged network if you have a large network of IP addresses with the gateway (for example within your organization).

  Note: If you need to use the bridged network but you don’t have the external gateway, you can make one in the following way:

  • If the IP subnet or IP range that you want to add as an IP block overlaps with the compute resource’s IP address, use the compute resource’s IP address as the gateway.
  • If the IP subnet or IP range doesn’t overlap with the compute resource IP address, add one IP from the range to the compute resource on the bridge network. After you’ve done so, you can use this IP address as the gateway.

To choose a network type:

1. Go to Compute Resources and click the name of a compute resource whose network type you want to change.
2. Click the cog icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. Under “Network Type”, click the desired network type and then click Save.