vde

{
  "aliases": [],
  "alternatives": [
    "QEMU",
    "libvirt",
    "docker"
  ],
  "build_dependencies": [
    "autoconf",
    "automake",
    "libtool"
  ],
  "categories": [
    "virtualization",
    "networking",
    "container-runtime"
  ],
  "caveats": null,
  "conflicts_with": [],
  "dependencies": [],
  "deprecated": 0,
  "deprecation_reason": null,
  "desc": "Ethernet compliant virtual network",
  "disable_reason": null,
  "disabled": 0,
  "enrichment_fetched_at": "2026-06-20T23:41:05+00:00",
  "first_seen": "2026-06-20T23:34:18+00:00",
  "full_name": "vde",
  "github_default_branch": "master",
  "github_last_commit_at": "2026-03-23T08:45:44Z",
  "github_readme_excerpt": "VDEv2: Virtual Distributed Ethernet.\n\n(c) 2003/2004/2005/2006 Renzo Davoli\nLong long time ago based on uml-router Copyright 2002 Yon Uriarte and Jeff Dike\nqemu-vde-HOWTO is (c) by Jim Brown\nNotice: Virtual Distributed Ethernet is not related in any way with\nwww.vde.com (\"Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik\"\ni.e. the German \"Association for Electrical, Electronic \u0026 Information \nTechnologies\").\n\nComponents of the VDE architecture:\n- VDE switches: virtual counterpart of ethernet switches.\n- VDE cables: virtual counterpart of a crossed-cable used to connect two switches.\n\n- VDE 2 includes:\n- switch management both from console and from a \"unix socket terminal\"\n- VLAN 801.1q *almost* compatible\n- FSTP (fast spanning tree) already incomplete and currently not tested for 802.1d/w/s\n  compatibility. under development. (vde_switch must be compiled with the FSTP flag on)\n\nUsing VDE:\n- All units connected to the VDE see each other as they were on a real ethernet.\n- A real Linux box can be connected to the VDE using a tap interface (TUNTAP)  \n  (packets can be further routed using standard linux methods). \n- It is possible to join two VDE switches -- also running on different\n  real computers -- using virtual VDE cables\n- UML (user-mode-linux) virtual machines can be connected to the VDE\n- MPS (MIPS emulated machines (c) Morsiani/Davoli) can be connected \nto the virtual VDE.\n\nExamples of VDE uses:\n- With VDE it is possible to create a virtual network of UML machines running\non several real computer\n- VDE can be used to create tunnels (even crossing masqueraded networks)\n- VDE can provide mobility support. Changing a VDE cable with another does not\naffect the communications in place. The new VDE cable can use a completely \ndifferent path on the real net. VDE supports also multiple concurrent VDE cables\nbetween a pair of VDE-switches during the hand-off. This eliminates when possible\nhich-ups of communications due to hand-offs.\n\nHOWTO and basic command ",
  "github_repo": "virtualsquare/vde-2",
  "github_stars": 253,
  "github_topics": [],
  "homepage": "https://github.com/virtualsquare/vde-2",
  "homepage_og_description": null,
  "homepage_og_image": null,
  "homepage_title": null,
  "installs_30d": 3219,
  "installs_365d": 37516,
  "installs_90d": 10545,
  "keg_only": 0,
  "keg_only_reason": null,
  "last_seen": "2026-06-20T23:34:18+00:00",
  "license": "GPL-2.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later",
  "llm_generated_at": "2026-06-20T23:46:57+00:00",
  "llm_model": "claude-haiku-4-5",
  "name": "vde",
  "oldnames": [],
  "one_liner": "Virtual Distributed Ethernet switch and networking toolkit for connecting virtual machines and emulators.",
  "optional_dependencies": [],
  "rank_30d": 773,
  "rank_365d": 788,
  "rank_90d": 791,
  "raw_hash": "5af271941290d3ad",
  "recommended_dependencies": [],
  "revision": 0,
  "ruby_source_path": "Formula/v/vde.rb",
  "tap": "homebrew/core",
  "test_dependencies": [],
  "uses_from_macos": [],
  "version_head": "HEAD",
  "version_stable": "2.3.3",
  "versioned_formulae": [],
  "why_use_this": "VDE creates virtual ethernet networks for UML, QEMU, and other emulators, letting you run isolated VM clusters on a single machine. It\u0027s a build/runtime dependency for certain virtualization workflows and legacy Unix tooling that predates modern container networking. Use it when you need traditional ethernet-style virtual networks with features like VLANs and spanning tree."
}