Loopback Interface

Notice that R3 is using loopback interfaces (Lo0, Lo1, and Lo2). A loopback interface is a software-only interface that is used to emulate a physical interface. Like other interfaces, it can be assigned an IP address. Loopback interfaces are also used by other routing protocols, such as OSPF, for different purposes. These uses will be discussed in Chapter 11 OSPF.

In a lab environment, loopback interfaces are useful in creating additional networks without having to add more physical interfaces on the router. A loopback interface can be pinged and the subnet can be advertised in routing updates. Therefore, loopback interfaces are ideal for simulating multiple networks attached to the same router. In our example, R3 does not need four LAN interfaces to demonstrate multiple subnets and VLSM. Instead, we use loopback interfaces.

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