What type of traffic would you configure for Layer 2 interfaces on a firewall?

When configuring Layer 2 interfaces on a firewall, the appropriate type of traffic to manage is bridged traffic. Layer 2 interfaces operate at the data link layer of the OSI model, which means they handle Ethernet frames and can forward traffic based on MAC addresses rather than IP addresses.

Bridged traffic allows for devices on the same local area network (LAN) segment to communicate without needing to route that traffic. This is particularly useful when a firewall needs to inspect traffic that does not have an IP address yet still requires security measures, as Layer 2 traffic might not be routed. When traffic is bridged, it essentially remains within the same layer of the network infrastructure, permitting filtering and monitoring as it passes through the firewall.

In contrast, routed traffic pertains to Layer 3 operations, where packets are forwarded based on IP addressing, which is not relevant when discussing Layer 2 interface configurations. Switching traffic generally refers to how Layer 2 switches operate, and while relevant, it does not specifically address the security capabilities of firewalls on Layer 2. VPN traffic involves encapsulated data that operates at a higher layer and is associated with secure communications rather than basic frame forwarding at Layer 2.