Which type of devices will virtual wire interfaces forward traffic from?

Virtual wire interfaces are designed to operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model, which involves forwarding Ethernet frames without making any modifications to the packets themselves. This means they are capable of connecting directly to Layer 2 devices such as switches, allowing for the transparent passage of traffic between network segments.

When a device is configured with virtual wire interfaces, it essentially bridges two segments of a network within the same broadcast domain. This makes it an ideal solution for scenarios where minimal disruption is desired and where full Layer 2 functionality is required. These interfaces allow for seamless traffic flow between connected devices while applying security policies and monitoring.

Layer 3 routers, Layer 7 firewalls, and Layer 4 multiplexing have different functionalities that do not align with the purpose of virtual wire interfaces. Layer 3 devices operate at the network layer and perform IP routing, while Layer 7 firewalls inspect and analyze traffic at a higher application level, and Layer 4 multiplexing deals with transporting traffic based on transport-layer information. Therefore, the operational focus and capabilities of virtual wire interfaces are best suited for Layer 2 switches.