B.2. How the FireBrick allocates MAC addresses

B.2. How the FireBrick allocates MAC addresses
	Appendix B. MAC Addresses usage

To meet these requirements the FireBrick allocates MAC addresses so specific aspects of the configuration when it is loaded, and stores this separately in persistent data. If the config is then changed, such as changing the order of interface definitions, then the allocated MAC stays with the config object based on some key aspect (such as port group and VLAN tag for interfaces, or IP for subnets).

B.2.1. Interface

Each interface object is allocated a MAC, keyed by the port group and VLAN tag of the interface. This is used for dynamic IPv6 allocation on the interface using router announcements (RA) and any other interface specific uses that are not relates to a subnet.

B.2.2. Subnet

Each subnet object is allocated a MAC, which is used for all of the IPs listed in that subnet object. This allows many IPs to have the same MAC by listing them in the same subnet object. The MAC allocation is keyed on the port group and VLAN tag and the first listed IP address in the subnet. If a later subnet has the same first IP listed then this is allocated a separate MAC (i.e. the key for the MAC is also based on which instance of this specific first IP it is, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, within the interface).

DCHP client subnets work in much the same way - they are based on the port group and VLAN tag and which instance of DHCP client they are (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) within the interface. The special case for DHCP clients is that the first of these within an interface is given the same MAC as the interface itself.

B.2.3. PPPoE

Each PPPoE object is given a MAC. This is keyed on the port group and VLAN and works in the same way as if it was a DHCP client subnet in a corresponding interface. i.e. where there is an interface with same port group and VLAN the PPPoE object gets the interface MAC.

B.2.4. Base MAC

The factory default config has interfaces listed left to right, and a DHCP client in the first interface. This means the base MAC address of the FireBrick is allocated to the left hand interface and DHCP client on that interface. This is the same MAC address used by the boot loader which transmits on the left most port on power up.

B.2.5. Running out of MACs

The allocations are recorded in persistent data, so if an object is removed from the config and later put back it should get the same MAC address. If however there are not enough MAC addresses when loading a config, then previous assignments are re-used. If there are too many interface, subnet and ppp objects within the config to allocate MAC addresses (even reusing old allocations) then an error is given and the config cannot be loaded.

Tip

Using restrict-mac on an interfaces restricts that interface (port group/VLAN) to only use one MAC and not one per subnet.