# TUN & TAP interfaces

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### Comparisons between TUN and TAP interface

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|                   | TUN                            | TAP                                                                                                                             |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| TCP/IP layer      | Network layer 3 (IP addresses) | Data link layer 2 (MAC addresses)                                                                                               |
| Routing/Switching | Routes based on IP addresses   | Switches based on MAC addresses                                                                                                 |
| Packet type       | IP packets only                | Ethernet frames (can carry IP, ARP, etc.)                                                                                       |
| Common usage      | VPN tunnels                    | <p>To act as a L2 switch: connect virtual machines, bridging, etc.<br>- Supports L2 features such as broadcasting ARP, etc.</p> |