---
name: "vether"
section: "4"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vether"
---

# vether(4)

virtual Ethernet interface

## NAME

**vether** – virtual Ethernet interface

## SYNOPSIS

**pseudo-device vether**

## DESCRIPTION

The **vether** interface simulates a normal Ethernet interface by encapsulating standard network frames with an Ethernet header, specifically for use as a member in a [bridge(4)](/bridge/4.md).

To use **vether** the administrator needs to configure an address onto the interface so that packets can be routed to it. An Ethernet header will be prepended and, if the **vether** interface is a member of a [bridge(4)](/bridge/4.md), the frame will show up there.

## SEE ALSO

[bridge(4)](/bridge/4.md), [inet(4)](/inet/4.md), [inet6(4)](/inet6/4.md), [hostname.if(5)](/hostname.if/5.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [netstart(8)](/netstart/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **vether** interface first appeared in OpenBSD 4.7.

## AUTHORS

Theo de Raadt ⟨*deraadt@openbsd.org*⟩

## BUGS

Like [tun(4)](/tun/4.md), the Ethernet address chosen will be partially random, and may occasionally collide with another address.