An IRB (Integrated Routing and Bridging) interface provides routing functionality between VLANs at Layer 3, allowing devices in different VLANs to communicate with each other.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
IRB Functionality:
The IRB interface enables routing between different VLANs by acting as a Layer 3 gateway. Traffic within the same VLAN is handled by Layer 2 switching, while traffic between VLANs is routed through the IRB interface.
Layer 3 Routing Between VLANs:
Each VLAN can be assigned an IP address on the IRB interface, which allows traffic to flow between VLANs based on Layer 3 IP routing.
Juniper Reference:
IRB Interface Configuration: Juniper supports IRB for inter-VLAN routing on devices like the EX and QFX series switches, facilitating Layer 3 communication in data centers.