Switch virtual interface


A Switch Virtual Interfaces represents a logical Layer 3 interface on a switch.
VLANs divide broadcast domains in a LAN environment. Whenever hosts in one VLAN need to communicate with hosts in another VLAN, the traffic must be routed between them. This is known as inter-VLAN routing. On Layer 3 switches it is accomplished by the creation of Layer 3 interfaces.
SVI or VLAN interface, is a virtual routed interface that connects a VLAN on the device to the Layer 3 router engine on the same device. Only one VLAN interface can be associated with a VLAN, but you need to configure a VLAN interface for a VLAN only when you want to route between VLANs or to provide IP host connectivity to the device through a virtual routing and forwarding instance that is not the management VRF. When you enable VLAN interface creation, a switch creates a VLAN interface for the default VLAN to permit remote switch administration.
SVIs are generally configured for a VLAN for the following reasons:
SVIs advantages include:
An SVI can also be known as a Routed VLAN Interface by some vendors.