How to use the Anybus Defender as a switch (Bridge Mode)

26 Feb 2026

APPLICABLE PRODUCTS 

Anybus Defender 4000 Series and up, with NAT, DPI or PRO licenses. 

 

PRE-REQUISITES

2 ethernet ports to connect together. 

VERSIONS USED IN THIS ARTICLE

  • Anybus Defender 2.5.2-2025111723

 

Enable Bridge mode

Choose two or more Ethernet ports to use as switch, if you don’t already have the ports activated go to:

Interfaces -> Assignments -> Available network ports

And Add the igb# you want to use.

Click the OTP name and enable the port

And Save.

Go to Interfaces -> Assignments -> Bridges -> Add

In Member Interfaces hold Ctrl and click the interfaces you want to add to the bridge, you can also add a Description.

Go back to Interfaces -> Assignments and Add the bridge at Available network ports and enable it.

You could add an IP address to LAN, OTP1 or BRIDGE to allow access to the Defender, but it is not necessary to make it work like a switch.

You will need to add rules under Firewall->Rules on either LAN or OTP1.

Example, you want the IP 192.168.0.12 on LAN to be able to ping 192.168.0.15 on OTP1, here is how it would look.