Virtual Extensible LAN

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Virtual eXtensible LAN (VXLAN) is a network virtualization technology that uses a VLAN-like encapsulation technique to encapsulate OSI layer 2 Ethernet frames within layer 4 UDP datagrams, using 4789 as the default IANA-assigned destination UDP port number, [1] although many implementations that predate the IANA assignment use port 8472. VXLAN attempts to address the scalability problems associated with large cloud computing deployments. [2] VXLAN endpoints, which terminate VXLAN tunnels and may be either virtual or physical switch ports, are known as VXLAN tunnel endpoints (VTEPs). [3] [4]

Contents

History

VXLAN is an evolution of efforts to standardize on an overlay encapsulation protocol. Compared to single-tagged IEEE 802.1Q VLANs which provide a limited number of layer-2 VLANs (4094, using a 12-bit VLAN ID), VXLAN increases scalability up to about 16 million logical networks (using a 24-bit VNID) and allows for layer-2 adjacency across IP networks. Multicast or unicast with head-end replication (HER) is used to flood Broadcast, unknown-unicast and multicast traffic. [5]

The VXLAN specification was originally created by VMware, Arista Networks and Cisco. [6] [7]

Implementations

VXLAN is widely, but not universally, implemented in commercial networking equipment. Several open-source implementations of VXLAN also exist.

Commercial

Arista, Cisco, and VMware were the originators of VXLAN and support it in various products.

Other backers of the VXLAN technology include Huawei, [8] Broadcom, Citrix, Pica8, Big Switch Networks, Arrcus, Cumulus Networks, Dell EMC, Ericsson, Mellanox, [9] Red Hat, [10] Joyent, and Juniper Networks.

Open source

Standards specifications

VXLAN is officially documented by the IETF in RFC 7348. [10] VXLAN encapsulates a MAC frame in a UDP datagram for transport across an IP network, [13] creating an overlay network or tunnel.

Alternative technologies

Alternative technologies addressing the same or similar operational concerns, include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Herrod, Steve (August 30, 2011). "Towards Virtualized Networking for the Cloud". VMware. Archived from the original on 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  2. ↑ "Configuring VXLANs" (PDF). Cisco. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  3. ↑ Andre Pech (2013-11-08). "Running OpenStack over a VXLAN Fabric" (PDF). openstack.org. pp. 8, 12. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  4. ↑ "Open vSwitch Manual: vtep – hardware_vtep database schema". openvswitch.org. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
  5. ↑ "Arista Expands Leaf Switch Product Portfolio" (Press release). Arista Networks. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014. Arista's updated VXLAN implementation eliminates the need for multicast in the underlay network by using Head End Replication for forwarding broadcast, multicast and unknown unicast traffic
  6. ↑ Timothy Prickett Morgan (30 August 2011). "VMware, Cisco stretch virtual LANs across the heavens". The Register. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  7. ↑ "VXLAN Bridges Virtual and Physical Networks to the Cloud" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  8. ↑ "Huawei CE12800 Series Data Center Switches - Huawei products". Huawei. December 2012.
  9. ↑ Timothy Pricket Morgan (April 23, 2013). "Mellanox adds VM-flitting to ConnectX-3 adapters - Going Pro with VXLAN". The Register.
  10. 1 2 M. Mahalingam; D. Dutt; K. Duda; P. Agarwal; L. Kreeger; T. Sridhar; M. Bursell; C. Wright (August 2014). Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN). Internet Engineering Task Force. doi: 10.17487/RFC7348 . ISSN   2070-1721. RFC 7348.Informational.
  11. ↑ "FreeBSD 10.2-RELEASE Release Notes". The FreeBSD Project. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Reyk Floeter (October 14, 2013). "OpenBSD vxlan implementation". Reyk Floeter.
  13. ↑ M. Mahalingam (February 22, 2013). "What Is VXLAN". Huawei. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
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