uOS 1.32 Bridge Enhancements: Now Supporting VPN Traffic Routing

Zyxel_Claudia

Zyxel Networks continues to refine the flexibility and capability of its firewall platform with the latest firmware update, introducing powerful enhancements to bridge interfaces in uOS 1.32. These updates now allow bridge interfaces to participate in various VPN configurations—significantly improving deployment options for administrators managing distributed networks.

What’s Bridge Interfaces?

Traditionally, bridge interfaces are used to forward traffic between different LAN segments, acting much like a transparent switch. And bridge interfaces can handle forwarding and routing responsibilities.

Bridge Interfaces in VPN Scenarios

1. Site-to-Site IPSec VPN

Bridge interfaces as external interface can now be designated for IPSec Site-to-Site VPN tunnels. This makes it possible to route encrypted VPN traffic directly through bridged ports—ideal for environments where WAN links are connected through a bridge setup.

Example Use Case: You may configure interfaces like ge1 and ge6 into a bridge group (e.g., br0) and then use br0 as the external interface for IPSec VPN to connect to a branch office.

2. Remote Access IPSec VPN

Similarly, Remote Access VPNs that rely on IPSec can now be supported on bridge interfaces.

3. SSL VPN

Bridge interfaces can also be selected as incoming interfaces for SSL VPNs.

Monitoring and Management

Administrators can monitor the connection status of VPNs routed through bridge interfaces directly from the VPN Status dashboard:

• IPSec VPN
• SSL VPN

Summary

Bridge Interface with VPN traffic routing now supported, this is a valuable enhancement for advanced network environments with VPN topology.