---
name: "arswitch"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/arswitch"
---

# arswitch(4)

Atheros AR8000 series Ethernet switch driver

## NAME

**arswitch** – Atheros AR8000 series Ethernet switch driver

## SYNOPSIS

**device mdio** **device etherswitch** **device arswitch**

## DESCRIPTION

The **arswitch** driver provides a management interface to Atheros AR8000 series Ethernet switch controllers. The driver uses an [mdio(4)](/mdio/4.md) or [miibus(4)](/miibus/4.md) interface to configure the ethernet interface.

This driver supports port based vlan, and IEEE 802.1Q (QinQ). These options can be configured with the [etherswitchcfg(8)](/etherswitchcfg/8.md) command. **arswitch** supports addtag, striptag, and doubletag. addtag and striptag are mutually exclusive.

Setting the switch MAC address is not supported.

## HARDWARE

The **arswitch** driver supports the following Ethernet switch controllers:

- Atheros AR8327 Seven-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch

- Atheros AR8316 Six-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch

- Atheros AR8236 Six-port Fast Ethernet Switch

- Atheros AR8226 Six-port Fast Ethernet Switch

- Atheros AR8216 Six-port Fast Ethernet Switch

## SEE ALSO

[etherswitch(4)](/etherswitch/4.md), [etherswitchcfg(8)](/etherswitchcfg/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **arswitch** device driver first appeared in FreeBSD 12.0.

## AUTHORS

The **arswitch** manual was written by Felix Johnson.