Modifying the Interface Name

Modifying the Interface Name

When a station has more than two network interfaces, you must modify the name entries in the /etc/config/netif.options file to assign the interface order. Default order is assigned only to the first two interfaces. Additionally, if you want to change the order (first, second, and so on) or interface type assigned to a network interface, you must modify the /etc/config/netif.options file. This example makes the first FDDI interface secondary.

Using the netstat command, verify the network interface's name:
/usr/etc/netstat -ina
Using vi or any editor, open the netif.options file for editing:
vi /etc/config/netif.options
Locate and modify the appropriate interface name variable. For this example, search for the secondary interface name variable (if2name) and change it from the default configuration to a configuration that supports the first FDDI interface as secondary:
Change from this:

: if2name =
to this:

if2name=ipg0
Caution: Note that all default variables (primary and secondary) start with a leading colon (:). You must remove it and enter the interface type to change the default interface name.
Save and exit the file.

If you have no other changes, autoconfigure and reboot the station. Otherwise, repeat this procedure for each interface name change.

Note: When you alter the order of one network interface, the other interfaces in the station remain in their default relative ordering. For example, on a three-interface station (a=first, b=second, and c=third), if you were to make the default second the first (b=first), the remaining interfaces would be configured a=second and c=third.