Types of Interfaces Overview

Interfaces can be permanent or transient, and are used for networking or services:

• Permanent interfaces—Interfaces that are always present in the router.
• Transient interfaces—Interfaces that can be inserted into or removed from the router depending on your network configuration needs.
• Networking interfaces—Interfaces, such as Ethernet or SONET/SDH interfaces, that primarily provide traffic connectivity.
• Services interfaces—Interfaces that provide specific capabilities for manipulating traffic before it is delivered to its destination.
• Container interfaces—Interfaces that support APS on physical SONET links using a virtual container infrastructure.

The JUNOS Software internally generates nonconfigurable interfaces which are described in Interfaces Command Reference and Services Interfaces.