How Traffic is Classified in ASA Multi Context Mode?

CE.

In ASA multi-context mode, traffic for the shared interface is classified differently from traffic in non-multi-context mode. The shared interface is an interface that is shared between two or more contexts in a multi-context firewall. When traffic arrives at the shared interface, it must be classified so that it can be correctly forwarded to the appropriate context.

The two options that describe how traffic is classified for the shared interface in ASA multi-context mode are:

B. Traffic is classified at the destination address in the packet: In this method, the firewall examines the destination IP address in the packet header to determine which context to forward the packet to. This method is commonly referred to as "packet forwarding based on destination address" or "route-based forwarding." This method is useful when the shared interface is connected to multiple networks, and each network belongs to a different context.

C. Traffic is classified at the destination address in the context: In this method, the firewall examines the destination IP address in the packet header to determine which context to forward the packet to, but the destination IP address is evaluated within the context itself. This method is also known as "context-based forwarding." In this method, each context maintains its own routing table, and the firewall forwards the packet based on the destination address as it appears in the routing table of the context.

In summary, the ASA firewall in multi-context mode classifies the traffic for the shared interface based on the destination address of the packet either in the packet itself or within the context to which it belongs. This allows the firewall to route traffic correctly to the appropriate context based on the destination IP address.