Static Mode and Transparent Mode

A PortShield interface is a virtual interface with a set of ports assigned to it. There are two IP assignment methods you can deploy to create PortShield interfaces:

•	Static mode

•	Transparent mode

Topics:

•	Working in Static Mode

•	Working in Transparent Mode

Working in Static Mode

When you create a PortShield interface in Static Mode, you manually create an explicit address to be applied to the PortShield interface. All ports mapped to the interface are identified by this address. Static mode is available on interfaces assigned to Trusted, Public, or Wireless zones.

NOTE: When you create a PortShield interface in Static Mode, make sure the IP address you assign to the interface is not already in use by another PortShield interface.

Working in Transparent Mode

Transparent Mode addressing allows for the WAN subnetwork to be shared by the current interface using Address Object assignments. The interface’s IP address is the same as the WAN interface IP address. Transparent mode is available on interfaces assigned to Trusted and Public Zones.

NOTE: Make sure the IP address you assign to the PortShield interface is within the WAN subnetwork.

When you create a PortShield interface in Transparent Mode, you create a range of addresses to be applied to the PortShield interface. You include these addresses in one entity called an Address Object. Address Objects allow for entities to be defined one time and to be re-used in multiple referential instances throughout the SonicOS interface. When you create a PortShield interface using an address object, all ports mapped to the interface are identified by any of the addresses specified in the address range.

NOTE: Each statically addressed PortShield interface must be on a unique subnetwork. You can not overlap PortShield interfaces across multiple subnetworks.