OpenFlow Protocol

September 24, 2015

by Matt Conran Blog

OpenFlow Protocol

The world of networking has witnessed remarkable advancements, and one of the key contributors to this progress is the OpenFlow protocol. In this blog post, we will dive into the depths of OpenFlow, exploring its principles, benefits, and impact on the networking landscape.

OpenFlow, at its core, is a communication protocol that enables the separation of network control and forwarding plane. By doing so, it empowers network administrators with a centralized control plane and facilitates programmable network management. This flexibility opens up a realm of possibilities for network optimization, innovation, and enhanced performance.

To grasp the essence of OpenFlow, it's essential to familiarize ourselves with its key principles. Firstly, OpenFlow operates on a flow-based model, treating packets as individual entities rather than traditional IP and MAC addresses. Secondly, it enables the dynamic modification of network behavior through a centralized controller, providing unprecedented control and adaptability. Lastly, OpenFlow fosters interoperability by ensuring compatibility across various networking devices from different vendors.

The adoption of OpenFlow brings forth a plethora of benefits. Firstly, it allows network administrators to exert fine-grained control over traffic flows, enabling them to optimize network performance and reduce latency. Secondly, OpenFlow facilitates network virtualization, empowering organizations to create isolated virtual networks without the need for physical infrastructure. Additionally, OpenFlow promotes innovation and fosters rapid experimentation by providing an open platform for application developers to create and deploy new network services.

OpenFlow and SDN are often mentioned in the same breath, as they go hand in hand. SDN is a paradigm that leverages OpenFlow to enable programmability, flexibility, and automation in network management. By decoupling the control and data planes, SDN architectures simplify network management, facilitate network orchestration, and enable the creation of dynamic, agile networks.

The OpenFlow protocol has revolutionized the networking landscape, empowering organizations with unprecedented control, flexibility, and performance optimization. As we sail into the future, OpenFlow will continue to be a key enabler of innovation, driving the evolution of networking technologies and shaping the digital world we inhabit.

Matt Conran

Highlights: OpenFlow Protocol

Understanding OpenFlow Protocol

– The OpenFlow protocol is a communication standard allowing centralized control of network switches and routers. It separates the control plane from the data plane, enabling network administrators to have a holistic view of the network and make dynamic changes. Using a software-defined approach, OpenFlow opens up a realm of network management and optimization possibilities.

– OpenFlow boasts several essential features that make it a powerful tool in network management. These include flow-based forwarding, fine-grained control, and network programmability. Flow-based forwarding allows for traffic routing based on specific criteria, such as source or destination IP addresses.

– Fine-grained control enables administrators to set detailed rules and policies, ensuring optimal network performance. Network programmability allows for the customization and automation of network configurations, simplifying complex tasks.

Key OpenFlow Benefits:

1: The adoption of the OpenFlow protocol brings numerous benefits to network environments. Firstly, it enhances network visibility and monitoring, enabling administrators to promptly identify and address potential bottlenecks or security threats.

2: Secondly, OpenFlow facilitates network flexibility and scalability, as changes can be easily implemented through centralized control. Moreover, the protocol promotes innovation by allowing new applications and services that leverage its programmability.

3: OpenFlow has significantly impacted network architecture, prompting a shift towards software-defined networking (SDN). SDN architectures provide a more agile and adaptable network infrastructure, enabling organizations to respond quickly to changing business requirements.

4: With OpenFlow as the backbone, SDN allows for the abstraction of network functions, making networks more programmable, scalable, and cost-effective.

Key Features and Benefits:

1. Centralized Control: OpenFlow Protocol provides a centralized control mechanism by decoupling the control plane from the devices. This allows network administrators to manage and configure network resources dynamically, making adapting to changing network demands easier.

2. Programmability: OpenFlow Protocol enables network administrators to program the behavior of network devices according to specific requirements. This programmability allows for greater flexibility and customization, making implementing new network policies and services easier.

3. Network Virtualization: OpenFlow Protocol supports virtualization, allowing multiple virtual networks to coexist on a single physical infrastructure. This capability enhances resource utilization and enables the creation of isolated network environments, enhancing security and scalability.

4. Traffic Engineering: With OpenFlow Protocol, network administrators have fine-grained control over traffic flows. This enables efficient load balancing, prioritization, and congestion management, ensuring optimal performance and resource utilization.

OpenFlow Use Cases:

1. Software-Defined Networking (SDN): OpenFlow Protocol is a key component of SDN, a network architecture separating the control and data planes. SDN leverages OpenFlow Protocol to provide a more flexible, programmable, and scalable network infrastructure.

2. Data Center Networking: OpenFlow Protocol offers significant advantages in data center environments, where dynamic workload placement and resource allocation are crucial. Using OpenFlow-enabled switches and controllers, data center operators can achieve greater agility, scalability, and efficiency.

3. Campus and Enterprise Networks: OpenFlow Protocol can simplify network management in large campus and enterprise environments. It allows network administrators to centrally manage and control network policies, improving network security, traffic engineering, and troubleshooting capabilities.

SDN: A History Guide

Martin Casado, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, would handle all the changes in the network industry. Previously, Casado worked for VMware as a fellow, senior vice president, and general manager. In addition to his direct contributions (like OpenFlow and Nicira), he has opened large network incumbents to the need to change network operations, agility, and manageability.

The Software-Defined Networking movement began with OpenFlow, whether for good or bad. During his Ph.D. at Stanford University, Casado worked on OpenFlow under Nick McKeown. Decoupling a network device’s control and data planes from the OpenFlow protocol is possible. A network device’s control plane consists of its brain, while its data plane consists of hardware that forwards packets or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Alternatively, OpenFlow can be run in a hybrid mode. It can be deployed on a specific port, virtual local area network (VLAN), or a regular packet-forwarding pipeline. Since there is no match in the OpenFlow table, packet forwarding is equivalent to policy-based routing (PBR).

OpenFlow provides granularity in determining forwarding paths (matching fields in packets) because its tables support more than destination addresses. PBR provides granularity by considering the source address when selecting the next routing hop.

In a similar way to OpenFlow, it allows network administrators to forward traffic based on non-traditional attributes, such as packet source addresses. Despite taking quite some time for network vendors to offer comparable performance for PBR-forwarded traffic, the final result was still very vendor-specific.

OpenFlow allowed us to make traffic-forwarding decisions at the same granularity as before but without vendor bias. Thus, network infrastructure capabilities could be enhanced without waiting for the following hardware version.

Real-World Applications of OpenFlow

Software-Defined Networking (SDN): OpenFlow is a foundational element of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architectures. SDN leverages the power of OpenFlow to decouple network control from hardware, enabling dynamic network management, automation, and scalability.

Traffic Engineering and Quality of Service (QoS): OpenFlow’s fine-grained control over network traffic enables advanced traffic engineering techniques. Network administrators can prioritize specific types of traffic, allocate bandwidth efficiently, and ensure optimal Quality of Service (QoS) for critical applications.

So, what is OpenFlow? OpenFlow is an open-source communications protocol that enables remote control of network devices from a centralized controller. It is most commonly used in software-defined networking (SDN) architectures, allowing networks to be configured and managed from a single point. OpenFlow enables network administrators to programmatically control traffic flow across their networks, allowing them to respond quickly to changing traffic patterns and optimize network performance.

**The Creation of Virtual Networks**

OpenFlow will also help it create virtual networks on top of existing physical networks, allowing for more efficient and flexible network management. As a result, OpenFlow is an essential tool for building and managing modern, agile networks that can quickly and easily adapt to changing network conditions. The following post discusses OpenFlow, the operations of the OpenFlow protocol, and the OpenFlow hardware components you can use to build an OpenFlow network.

You may find the following helpful post for pre-information:

OpenFlow Protocol

OpenFlow history

OpenFlow started in the labs as an academic experiment. They wanted to test concepts about new protocols and forwarding mechanisms on real hardware but failed with current architectures. The challenges of changing forwarding entries in physical switches limited the project to emulations. Emulations are a type of simulation and can’t mimic an entire production network.

The requirement to test on actual hardware (not emulations) leads to separating device planes (control, data, and management plane) and introducing the OpenFlow protocol and new OpenFlow hardware components.

Highlighting SDN

Standard network technologies, consisting of switches, routers, and firewalls, have existed since the inception of networking. Data at each layer is called different things, and forwarding has stayed the same since inception. Frames and packets have been forwarded and routed using a similar approach, resulting in limited efficiency and a high maintenance cost.

Consequently, there was a need to evolve the techniques and improve network operations, which led to the inception of SDN. SDN, often considered a revolutionary new idea in networking, pledges to dramatically simplify network control and management and enable innovation through network programmability.

software defined networking — Diagram: Software Defined Networking (SDN). Source is Opennetworking

A key point: The OpenFlow Protocol versions

OpenFlow has gone through several versions, namely versions 1.0 to 1.4. OpenFlow 1.0 was the initial version of the Open Network Foundation (ONF). Most vendors initially implemented version 1.0, which has many restrictions and scalability concerns. Version 1.0 was limited and proved the ONF rushed to the market without having a complete product.

Not many vendors implemented versions 1.1 or 1.2 and waited for version 1.3, allowing per-flow meter and Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB) support. Everyone thinks OpenFlow is “open,” but it is controlled by a closed group of around 150 member organizations, forming the ONF. The ONF specifies all the OpenFlow standards, and work is hidden until published as a standard.

OpenFlow Protocol: Separation of Planes

An OpenFlow network has several hardware components that enable three independent pieces: the data plane, control plane, and management plane.

The data plane

The data plane switches Protocol Data Units (PDU) from incoming ports to destination ports. It uses a forwarding table. For example, a Layer 2 forwarding table could list MAC addresses and outgoing ports. A Layer 3 forwarding table contains IP prefixes with next hops and outgoing ports. The data plane is not responsible for creating the controls necessary to forward. Instead, someone else has the job of “filling in” the data plane, which is the control plane’s function.

The control plane

The control plane is responsible for giving the data plane the required information to enable it to forward. It is considered the “intelligence” of the network as it makes the decisions about PDU forwarding. Control plane protocols are not limited to routing protocols; they’re more than just BGP and OSPF. Every single protocol that runs between adjacent devices is usually a control plane. Examples include line card protocols such as BFD, STP, and LACP.

These protocols do not directly interface with the forwarding table; for example, BFD detects failures but doesn’t remove anything from the forwarding table. Instead, it informs other higher-level control plane protocols of the problem and leaves them to change the forwarding behavior.

The management plane

On the other hand, protocols like OSPF and ISIS directly influence the forwarding table. Finally, the management plane provides operational access and monitoring. It permits you or “something else” to configure the device.

Diagram: Switch functions. Source is Bradhedlund

**The Idea of OpenFlow Protocol**

OpenFlow is not revolutionary new; similar ideas have been around for the last twenty years. RFC 1925 by R. Callon presents what is known as “The Twelve Network Truths.” Section 2.11 states, “Every old idea will be proposed again with a different name and a different presentation, regardless of whether it works.” Solutions to old problems are easily dressed up in new clothes, but the problems stay the same.

Example: Use case of vendors and OpenFlow hardware.

The scalability of a central control plane will always pose challenges. We had this with the SDH/SONET and Frame Relay days. NEC and Big Switch networks tried to centralize, eventually moving as much as possible to local devices or limiting the dynamic nature and number of supported protocols.

For example, NEC permits only static port channels, and if you opt for Layer 3 IP forwarding, the only control protocol they support is ARP. Juniper implemented a scalable model with MP-BGP, retaining low-level control plane protocols on local switches. Putting all the routine easy jobs on the local switch makes the architecture more scalable.

Cisco DFA or ACI uses the same architecture. It’s also hard to do fast feedback looks and fast convergence with a centralized control plane. OpenFlow and centralized control plane-centric SDN architectures do not solve this. You may, however, see OpenFlow combined with the Open vSwitch. Consider the Open vSwitch, also known as OVS, and the OVS bridge as the virtual switch in the data path.

A key point: Open vSwitch

The Open vSwitch is an open-source multi-layered switch that allows hypervisors to virtualize the networking layer. It is designed to enable network automation through programmatic extension. The OVS bridge supports standard management interfaces and protocols such as NetFlow, LACP, and 802.1ag). This caters to many virtual machines running on one or more physical nodes. The virtual machines connect to virtual ports on virtual bridges (inside the virtualized network layer.)

OVS bridge — Diagram: OVS Bridge: Source OpenvSwitch.

A key point: OpenFlow and Open Networking

Today, with many prominent vendors, we need an open interface to the forwarding plane. Many refer to this as monolithic, closed, and mainframe-like networking devices. On the other hand, a protocol such as OpenFlow. OpenFlow allows direct access to and manipulation of the forwarding plane of the network device. We can now move network control out of proprietary network switches and into open-source and locally managed control software. We were driving a new world of open networking.

OpenFlow protocol and decoupling

The idea of OpenFlow is straightforward. Let’s decouple the control and management plane from the switching hardware. Split the three-plane model where the dumb hardware is in one box, and the brains are in the other. The intelligence has to have a mechanism to push the forwarding entries, which could be MAC, ACL, IP prefix, or NAT rules to the local switches. The protocol used to push these entries is OpenFlow.

OpenFlow is viewed as a protocol with several instruction sets and an architecture. But it is nothing more than a Forwarding ( TCAM ) download protocol. It cannot change the switch hardware functionality. If something is supported in OpenFlow but not in the hardware, OpenFlow cannot do anything for you.

Just because OpenFlow versions allow specific matching doesn’t mean that the hardware can match those fields. For example, Juniper uses OpenFlow 1.3, which permits IPv6 handling, but its hardware does not permit matching on IPv6 addresses.

Flow table and OpenFlow forwarding model

The flow table in a switch is not the same as the Forwarding Information Base (FIB). The FIB is a simple set of instructions supporting destination-based switching. The OpenFlow table is slightly more complicated and represents a sequential set of instructions matching multiple fields. It supports flow-based switching.

OpenFlow 1.0 – Single Table Model: OpenFlow hardware with low-cost switches

The initial OpenFlow forwarding model was simple. They based the model of OpenFlow on low-cost switches that use TCAM. Most low-cost switches have only one table that serves all of the forwarding needs of that switch. As a result, the model for the OpenFlow forwarding model was a straightforward table. First, a packet is received on an interface; we extract metadata (like incoming interface) and other header fields from the packet.

Then, the fields in the packet are matched in the OpenFlow table. Every entry in a table has a protocol field, and the match with the highest priority is the winner. Every line in the table should have a different priority; the highest-priority match determines the forwarding behavior.

If you have simple MAC address forwarding, i.e., building a simple bridge. All entries are already distinct. So, there is no overlap, and you don’t need to use the priority field.

Once there is a match, the packet’s action is carried out. The action could be to send to an interface, drop, or send to the controller. The default behavior of OpenFlow 1.0 would send any unmatched packets to the controller. This punting was later removed as it exposed the controller to DoS attacks. An attacker could figure out what is not in the table and send packets to that destination, completely overloading the controller.

The original OpenFlow specifications could be sent to the interface or the controller. Still, they figured out they may need to modify the packet, such as changing the TTL, setting a field, and pushing/pop tags. They realized version 1.0 was broken, and you must do more than one action on every specific packet. Multiple actions must be associated with each flow entry. This was later addressed in subsequent OpenFlow versions.

OpenFlow ports

OpenFlow has the concept of ports. Ports on an OpenFlow switch serve the same input/output purposes as any switch. From the perspective of ingress and egress traffic flows, it is no different from any other switch. For example, the ingress port for one flow might be the output port for another flow.

OpenFlow defines several standard ports, such as physical, logical, and reserved. Physical ports correspond directly to the hardware. Logical ports do not directly correspond to hardware, such as MPLS LSP, tunnel, and null interfaces.

Reserved ports are used for internal packet processing and OpenFlow hybrid switch deployments. Reserved ports are either required or optional. Required ports include ALL, CONTROLLER, TABLE, IN_PORT, and ANY. In comparison, the Optional ports include LOCAL, NORMAL, and FLOOD.

TCAM download protocol

OpenFlow is simply a TCAM download protocol. OpenFlow cannot do this if you want to create a tunnel between two endpoints. It does not create interfaces for you. Other protocols, such as OF-CONFIG, use NETCONF for this job. It is a YANG-based data model. OpenFlow protocol is used between the controller and the switch, while OF-CONFIG is used between a configuration point and the switch. A port can be added, changed, or removed in the switch configuration with OF-CONFIG, not OpenFlow.

Port changes (state) do not automatically change the direction of the flow entry. For example, a flow entry will still point to that interface if a port goes down and subsequent packets are dropped. All port changes must first be communicated to the controller so it can make changes to the necessary forwarding by downloading instructions with OpenFlow to the switches.

A variety of OpenFlow messages are used for switch-to-controller and controller-to-switch communication. We will address these in the OpenFlow Series 2 post.

OpenFlow Classifiers

OpenFlow is modeled like a TCAM, supporting several matching mechanisms. You can use any combination of packet header fields to match a packet. Possibilities to match on MAC address (OF 1.0), with wildcards (OF 1.1), VLAN and MPLS tag (OF 1.1), PBB headers (OF 1.3), IPv4 address with wild cards, ARP fields, DSCP bits. Not many vendors implement ARP field matching due to hardware restrictions. Much current hardware does not let you look deep into ARP fields. IPv6 address (OF 1.2) and IPv6 extension headers (OF1.3), Layer 4 protocol, TCP, and UDP port numbers are also supported.

Once a specific flow entry matches a packet, you can specify the number of actions. Options include output to the port type: NORMAL port for traditional processing, LOCAL PORT for the local control plane, and CONTROLLER port for sending to the controller.

In addition, you may set the OUTPUT QUEUE ID, PUSH/POP VLAN, MPLS, or PBB tags. You can even do a header rewrite, which means OpenFlow can be used to implement NAT. However, be careful with this, as you only have a limited number of flow entries on the switches. Finally, some actions might be in software, which is too slow.

OpenFlow Groups

Finally, there is an exciting mechanism where a packet can be processed through what is known as a GROUP. With OpenFlow 1.1+, the OpenFlow forwarding model included the functionality of GROUPS. Groups enhance the previous OpenFlow forwarding model. However, enhanced forwarding mechanisms like ECMP Load Balancing cannot be completed in OpenFlow 1.0. For this reason, the ONF implemented OUTPUT GROUPS.

A Group is a set of buckets, and a Bucket is a set of actions. For example, an action could be output to port, set VLAN tag, or push/pop MPLS tag. Groups can contain several buckets; bucket 1 could be sent to port 1, and bucket 2 to port 2, but it could also add a tag.

This adds granularity to OpenFlow forwarding and enables additional forwarding methods. For example, sending to all buckets in a group could be used for selective multicast, or sending to one bucket in a group could be used for load balancing across LAG or ECMP.

OpenFlow Protocol represents a significant advancement in network management, offering a more flexible, programmable, and efficient approach. Decoupling the control and forwarding plane enables centralized control, programmability, and network virtualization. With its wide range of benefits and use cases, OpenFlow Protocol is poised to revolutionize network management and pave the way for future innovations in networking technologies.

As organizations face ever-increasing network challenges, embracing OpenFlow Protocol can provide a competitive edge and drive efficiency in network operations.

Summary: OpenFlow Protocol

The introduction of the OpenFlow protocol has witnessed a remarkable revolution in the world of networking. In this blog post, we will delve into its intricacies and explore how it has transformed the way networks are managed and controlled.

Understanding OpenFlow

At its core, OpenFlow is a communication protocol that enables the separation of control and data planes in network devices. Unlike traditional networking approaches, where switches and routers make forwarding decisions, OpenFlow centralizes the control plane, allowing for dynamic and programmable network management.

The Key Components of OpenFlow

To grasp the power of OpenFlow, it is essential to understand its key components. These include the OpenFlow switch, which processes packets based on instructions from a centralized controller, and the controller, which has a comprehensive view of the network topology and makes intelligent decisions on forwarding packets.

Benefits and Advantages

OpenFlow brings forth a myriad of benefits to networking environments. Firstly, it promotes flexibility and programmability, allowing network administrators to tailor the behavior of their networks to meet specific requirements. Furthermore, it simplifies network management, as policies and configurations can be implemented centrally. Additionally, OpenFlow enables network virtualization, enhancing scalability and resource utilization.

Real-World Applications

The adoption of OpenFlow has paved the way for innovative networking solutions. Software-defined networking (SDN) is one application where OpenFlow is critical. SDN allows for dynamic network control and management, making implementing complex policies and responding to changing network conditions easier.

In conclusion, the OpenFlow protocol has brought a paradigm shift in the networking world. Its ability to separate control and data planes, along with its flexibility and programmability, has transformed how networks are designed, managed, and controlled. As technology continues to evolve, OpenFlow and its applications, such as SDN, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of networking.

OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

August 20, 2015

by Matt Conran Blog

OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

In the ever-evolving world of networking, new technologies and approaches continue to reshape the landscape. One such technology that has gained significant attention is OpenFlow, which forms the backbone of Software-Defined Networking (SDN). In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of OpenFlow and explore its growing adoption in the networking industry.

OpenFlow can be best described as a protocol that enables the separation of the control plane and the data plane in a network. Traditionally, network devices handled both the control and data forwarding aspects, leading to limited flexibility and scalability. With OpenFlow, the control plane is centralized in a controller, allowing for dynamic network management and programmability.

Benefits of OpenFlow: The adoption of OpenFlow brings forth a multitude of benefits. Firstly, it offers network administrators unprecedented control and visibility into the network, empowering them to efficiently manage traffic flows and implement changes on the fly. Additionally, OpenFlow promotes network programmability, enabling the development of innovative applications and services that can harness the full potential of the network infrastructure.

OpenFlow in Action: Numerous organizations and industries have recognized the potential of OpenFlow and have embraced it in their networks. For instance, data centers have leveraged OpenFlow to create virtual networks with enhanced security and improved resource allocation. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have also adopted OpenFlow to optimize traffic routing and enhance network performance.

Challenges and Considerations: While OpenFlow holds great promise, it is not without its challenges. One of the primary concerns is ensuring interoperability across different vendors and devices, as OpenFlow relies on a standard set of protocols and features. Additionally, network security and policy enforcement must be carefully addressed to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data.

OpenFlow and SDN adoption are revolutionizing the networking industry, offering unprecedented control, programmability, and scalability. As organizations continue to recognize the benefits of OpenFlow, we can expect to see further advancements and innovations in the realm of network management and infrastructure.

Matt Conran

Highlights: OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

Understanding OpenFlow

OpenFlow is a communication protocol that enables the separation of the control plane and the data plane in network switches. By doing so, it allows for centralized control and programmability of network devices. This revolutionary approach replaces traditional, fixed-function network devices with programmable switches, enabling more flexibility and agility in network management.

SDN provides network administrators with a holistic view of the network, allowing them to monitor and manage network traffic with granular control. This increased visibility enables better troubleshooting, efficient resource allocation, and improved security measures.

**Simplified Network Management**

With SDN, network configurations can be abstracted and managed through software, eliminating the need for manual, device-by-device configuration changes. This simplification streamlines network management, reduces human errors, and accelerates network provisioning and deployment.

The programmability of SDN allows for dynamic network provisioning and scaling, making it easier to adapt to changing network demands. Whether it’s scaling up to accommodate increased traffic or reconfiguring network paths, SDN offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling networks to evolve and grow seamlessly.

**SDN & Virtualization**

SDN opens doors to network virtualization, where multiple virtual networks can coexist on a shared physical network infrastructure. This concept enables efficient resource utilization, isolation of traffic, and improved network efficiency.

By decoupling the control plane from the data plane, SDN fosters an environment for experimentation and innovation. Developers can create and deploy custom network applications, allowing for rapid prototyping and testing of new networking concepts without disrupting the underlying infrastructure.

**Basics of Network Virtualization**

Network virtualization involves creating a virtual network that operates independently of the underlying physical hardware. This is achieved through software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV). SDN separates the network’s control plane from the data plane, allowing for centralized management and control of network traffic. NFV, on the other hand, replaces traditional network hardware functions with software-based solutions, enabling greater flexibility and scalability.

Use Cases and Real-World Applications

A: -) OpenFlow and SDN have been found to be extensively used in various domains and industries. From data centers and cloud computing environments to enterprise networks and even telecommunications, the versatility of OpenFlow and SDN is undeniable.

B: -) They enable dynamic traffic engineering, efficient load balancing, and improved network security. Furthermore, SDN has paved the way for network function virtualization (NFV), allowing the deployment of network services as software applications rather than dedicated hardware.

Impact on the Networking Landscape

– At its core, OpenFlow is a communications protocol that enables the separation of the control plane and the data plane in networking devices. It allows for the programmability and centralized control of network switches and routers. With OpenFlow, network administrators can dynamically manage traffic, define routing paths, and apply policies, all through a centralized controller.

– SDN takes the concept of OpenFlow further by providing a framework for network management and configuration. It abstracts the underlying network infrastructure and allows for programmability and automation through a software-based controller. SDN architectures offer flexibility, scalability, and agility, making adapting to evolving network demands easier.

– The combination of OpenFlow and SDN brings numerous benefits to network operators, administrators, and end-users. Firstly, it simplifies network management by providing a centralized view and control of the entire network.

– This simplification leads to enhanced network visibility, easier troubleshooting, and faster deployment of new services. Additionally, OpenFlow and SDN enable network virtualization, allowing for the creation of logical networks decoupled from the physical infrastructure.

The SDN Layers

The Application Layer:

As its name suggests, this layer includes network applications. Examples of these applications include communication applications, such as VoIP prioritization, and security applications, such as firewalls. Also included in this layer are utilities and network services.

Switches and routers traditionally handled these applications. SDN simplifies their management by offloading them. In addition, companies can save a lot of money by stripping down the hardware.

The Control Layer:

Switches and routers are now controlled by a centralized control plane, which allows the network to be programmed. As an open-source network protocol, OpenFlow has become the industry standard despite Cisco’s OpenFlow variant.

The Infrastructure Layer:

This layer includes data, switches, and routers. Traffic is moved according to flow tables. SDN leaves this layer essentially unchanged since routers and switches still move packets. The main difference is the centralization of traffic flow rules. However, the intelligence of vendor devices is not stripped away.

The API provides centralized control of SDN for large network providers to protect their intellectual property. However, the cost of generic packet-forwarding devices is much lower than traditional networking equipment.

A Programmable Network

Developers have made it possible for network administrators to create “slices” that allow generic networking hardware to support multiple configurations by adding a virtualization layer between the control system and the hardware layer. It resembles how a hypervisor can run a virtual machine (VM) on a single server. Using SDN, an administrator can create different rules and applications for various groups of users.

Because most applications are not installed on the devices, SDN enables the network to appear as one big switch/router. There could be three devices on the network or 30,000. They are all the same as centralized applications. (Some applications are just nodes on the network.) Therefore, upgrades, changes, additions, and configurations are much more accessible.

The role of OpenFlow

Firstly, the basis of the SDN adoption report is the OpenFlow protocol, an existing technology derived from academic labs. Its origins can be traced back to 2006 when Martin Casado, part of the “Clean Slate” program, developed Ethane. They were trying to figure out ways to manage the network states via a centrally managed global policy.

The idea that networks are dynamic and non-symmetrical poses challenges in keeping track of their state to enforce programmability. The program has stopped but produced several follow-up programs, including OpenFlow and SDN.

SDN OpenFlow is not revolutionary new. Similar ideas have been available, and previous projects have tried to solve the same problems OpenFlow is trying to solve today. Besides the central viewpoint use case, whatever you can do with OpenFlow today is possible with Policy-Based Routing (PBR) and ACL. The problem is that these tools are clumsy and do not scale well.

You may find the following useful for pre-information:

OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

What is OpenFlow?

OpenFlow is an open standard that enables the separation of the control plane and the data plane in network devices. It allows network administrators to centrally control and manage the behavior of network switches and routers, resulting in increased network programmability, flexibility, and scalability. OpenFlow provides a standardized protocol that facilitates communication between the control and data planes, enabling the network to be programmed and controlled through software.

Understanding SDN Adoption:

SDN is a paradigm shift in network architecture that leverages OpenFlow and other technologies to virtualize and abstract network resources. With SDN, the control plane is decoupled from the underlying physical infrastructure, allowing network administrators to configure and manage networks dynamically through a centralized controller. This centralized control simplifies network operations, enhances automation, and creates innovative network services.

The use of APIs:

Besides the network abstraction, the SDN architecture will deliver a set of APIs that streamline the implementation of standard network services. These network services include routing, security, access control, and traffic engineering. Consequently, we can achieve exceptional programmability, automation, and network control, enabling us to build highly scalable and flexible networks that readily adapt to changing business needs. Then, we have OpenFlow and the SDN story. OpenFlow is the first standard interface explicitly designed for SDN, providing high-performance and granular traffic control across multiple networking devices.

**Benefits of OpenFlow and SDN Adoption**

The adoption of OpenFlow and SDN comes with numerous benefits for organizations of all sizes:

1. Enhanced Network Programmability: OpenFlow and SDN enable network administrators to program and control networks through software, making implementing new network services and policies easier.

2. Increased Flexibility and Scalability: SDN allows for dynamic network reconfiguration and resource allocation, ensuring networks can adapt to changing requirements and scale efficiently.

3. Centralized Network Management: With SDN, network administrators can manage and configure multiple network devices from a centralized controller, simplifying network operations and reducing the complexity of managing traditional networks.

4. Improved Network Security: SDN facilitates the implementation of granular security policies, enabling network administrators to quickly detect and respond to security threats, enhancing overall network security.

**Challenges and Considerations**

While OpenFlow and SDN offer significant advantages, their adoption comes with a few challenges that organizations need to address:

1. Compatibility: Not all network devices and vendors fully support OpenFlow and SDN, requiring organizations to consider device compatibility carefully before implementation.

2. Skillset and Training: SDN introduces new concepts and requires network administrators to acquire skills and knowledge to deploy and manage SDN-based networks effectively.

3. Transition from Legacy Infrastructure: Migrating from traditional networking solutions to SDN-based architectures requires careful planning and a phased approach to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition.

Starting Points for SDN Adoption

SDN Architectures and OpenFlow

SDN architectures and OpenFlow offer several advantages. You can influence traffic forwarding behavior at a more granular flow level. A holistic view instead of a partial view of distributed devices simplifies the network. Traffic engineering with SDN becomes easier to implement when you have a centralized view; this is how Google implemented SDN. Google has two network backbones: an Internet-facing backbone and a data center backbone.

They noticed that the cost/bit was not decreasing as the network grew. It was doing the opposite. Their solution was to implement a centralized controller and manage the WAN as a fabric, not as a collection of individual nodes.

SDN adoption report: Virtual switching fabric

SDN architectures allow networks to move from loosely coupled systems to a virtual switching fabric. One extensive flat virtualized network that appears and can be managed as a single switch has many operational advantages. The switch fabric consists of multiple physical nodes but behaves like one big switch. For example, a port on any underlying switch fabric nodes or virtual switch appears as a port to the single switching fabric.

The entire data plane becomes an abstraction. By employing this architecture, we manage the data plane as a whole entity instead of a set of loosely coupled connected devices. If we study existing networks, the control and data planes are distributed to the same locations. No central point controls individual nodes, resulting in complex cross-network interactions.

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) calculates the shortest path tree from each node to every other node. Each OSPF neighbor must establish an adjacency and build and synchronize the link-state databases (LSB). The complexity can be reduced by designing OSPF areas with ABRs but by sacrificing some precision of route information. Imagine that every node reports and synchronizes its LSB to a central controller with an OSPF SDN application instead of individual nodes.

The controller can perform the Shortest Path First (SPF) calculation and directly update each node’s forwarding information base (FIB). The network now becomes programmable. While it does bring advantages, the laws of physics have not changed.

OpenFlow does not decrease latency or let you push more bits through a link. It does, however, let you better manage and control your network. It removes the box-by-box mentality and introduces automation and programmability.

Do you think OpenFlow will be derailed?

SDN OpenFlow has come up against some market adoption barriers, such as silicon challenges and numerous vendor-specific extensions. In addition, the lack of conformance tests has led to some inconsistencies. It depends on how you define it. To explain it, you need to know what it is not. It is not a controller or a forwarding switch but a communication between the two.

It has a distinct place in the SDN architecture and does not run anywhere except between the control (controller) and the data plane, such as the OVS bridge acting as the switch infrastructure. SDN OpenFlow is also not alone in this space; other technologies provide control and data plane communications, such as BGP, Open vSwitch Database Management Protocol (OVSDB), NETCONF, and Extensible Message and Presence Protocol (XMPP).

Juniper’s OpenContrail uses XMPP.

It is evolving, and emerging technologies are sometimes slow to adopt. For example, in the early days of Novell networks, there were 4-frame types. Likewise, OpenFlow is changing and adapting as time progresses. For example, the original version of OpenFlow did not have multiple flow tables; now, versions 1.3 and 1.4 have multiple tables with various actions and many additional features.

Will it be used for program forwarding paths instead of BGP?

Probably not, but it will augment BGP and other traditional technologies. It is not strictly a YES or NO answer as the SDN adoption falls into two buckets: one with OpenFlow and one without. Take the IPv6 adaptations as the IPv4 “replacement.” There was a “D” day of IPv4 address exhaustion, but IPv4 is still widely used. New “transition” mechanisms such as 6to4 and NAT64 are still widely deployed. It is the same with SDN and OpenFlow.

There will be ways to make traditional networks communicate with SDN and OpenFlow. BGP was invented as an EBGP, but people use EBGP Internal in their network. BGP is also used as an SDN control plane. It will be the case that you have controllers that provide automation and a holistic view but can speak BGP or OSPF to program the forwarding devices. SDN migrations will come incrementally, similar to what we see with IPv4 and IPv6

The lack of clarity in the controller space has limited OpenFlow’s progress. However, the controller market is consolidating now, which gives users a clear path forward. This emergence is a good thing and will move OpenFlow forward. Maintaining SDN applications on different controllers is a dead end, but now that OpenDaylight is emerging, we have controller unity.

A market with numerous open-source controllers would make SDN application development difficult. There will always be business drivers for proprietary controllers serving a particular niche and corner case problems the open community did not invest in. Even today, specialized UNIX platforms exist when you look at open Linux. Similarly, this adoption of technology will be evident for OpenFlow controllers.

The Future of OpenFlow and SDN:

The adoption of OpenFlow and SDN has gained significant momentum in recent years, and the future looks promising for these technologies. With the increasing demand for flexible, scalable, and programmable networks, OpenFlow and SDN are vital in deploying 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and network virtualization.

OpenFlow and SDN adoption revolutionizes network infrastructure, offering increased programmability, flexibility, and centralized management. While challenges exist, the benefits of OpenFlow and SDN far outweigh the drawbacks.

As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, OpenFlow and SDN will continue to shape the future of networking, enabling agile, scalable, and secure networks that can adapt to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Summary: OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and OpenFlow have emerged as game-changing innovations revolutionizing the world of networking. This blog post delves into the intricacies of SDN and OpenFlow, exploring their capabilities, benefits, and their potential to reshape the future of networking.

Understanding SDN

SDN, short for Software-Defined Networking, is a paradigm that separates the control plane from the data plane, enabling centralized network management. Unlike traditional networking approaches, SDN decouples network control, making it programmable and agile. It empowers network administrators with unprecedented flexibility and control over their infrastructure.

Unveiling OpenFlow

At the core of SDN lies OpenFlow, a protocol that enables communication between the control and data planes. OpenFlow facilitates the flow of network packets, allowing administrators to define and manage network traffic dynamically. Providing a standardized interface promotes interoperability between different vendors’ networking equipment, fostering innovation and cost-effectiveness.

Benefits of SDN and OpenFlow

Enhanced Network Flexibility and Scalability: SDN and OpenFlow enable network administrators to adjust network resources dynamically, optimize traffic flow, and respond to changing demands. This flexibility and scalability empower organizations to adapt swiftly to evolving network requirements, ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Simplified Network Management: With SDN and OpenFlow, network administrators can centrally manage and orchestrate network devices, eliminating the need for manual configurations on individual devices. This centralized control simplifies network management, reduces human errors, and accelerates the deployment of new services.

Improved Network Security: SDN’s centralized control allows for better security management. Administrators gain granular control over network access, threat detection, and response by implementing security policies and protocols at the controller level. This enhanced security posture helps safeguard critical assets and data.

Data Center Networking: SDN and OpenFlow find extensive applications in data centers, where virtualization and cloud computing demand dynamic resource allocation and efficient traffic management. By abstracting network control, SDN facilitates seamless scalability, load balancing, and efficient utilization of data center resources.

Campus and Enterprise Networks: In campus and enterprise networks, SDN and OpenFlow enable administrators to manage and optimize network traffic, prioritize critical applications, and quickly respond to changing user demands. These technologies also facilitate network slicing, allowing organizations to create virtual networks tailored to specific requirements.

In conclusion, SDN and OpenFlow represent a paradigm shift in networking, offering immense potential for increased efficiency, scalability, and security. As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, these technologies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of networking. By decoupling network control and leveraging the power of programmability, SDN and OpenFlow empower administrators to build agile, intelligent, and future-ready networks.

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

March 10, 2015

by Matt Conran Blog

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Layer 3 forwarding is crucial in ensuring efficient and seamless network data transmission. Optimal Layer 3 forwarding, in particular, is an essential aspect of network architecture that enables the efficient routing of data packets across networks. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of optimal Layer 3 forwarding and its impact on network performance and reliability.

Layer 3 forwarding directs network traffic based on its network layer (IP) address. It operates at the network layer of the OSI model, making it responsible for routing data packets across different networks. Layer 3 forwarding involves analyzing the destination IP address of incoming packets and selecting the most appropriate path for their delivery.

Enhanced Network Performance: Optimal layer 3 forwarding optimizes routing decisions, resulting in faster and more efficient data transmission. It eliminates unnecessary hops and minimizes packet loss, leading to improved network performance and reduced latency.

Scalability: With the exponential growth of network traffic, scalability becomes crucial. Optimal layer 3 forwarding enables networks to handle increasing traffic demands by efficiently distributing packets across multiple paths. This scalability ensures that networks can accommodate growing data loads without compromising on performance.

Load Balancing: Layer 3 forwarding allows for intelligent load balancing by distributing traffic evenly across available network paths. This ensures that no single path becomes overwhelmed with traffic, preventing bottlenecks and optimizing resource utilization.

Implementing Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Hardware and Software Considerations: Implementing optimal layer 3 forwarding requires suitable network hardware and software support. It is essential to choose routers and switches that are capable of handling the increased forwarding demands and provide advanced routing protocols.

Configuring Routing Protocols: To achieve optimal layer 3 forwarding, configuring robust routing protocols is crucial. Protocols such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) play a significant role in determining the best path for packet forwarding. Fine-tuning these protocols based on network requirements can greatly enhance overall network performance.

Real-World Use Cases

Data Centers:In data center environments, optimal layer 3 forwarding is essential for seamless communication between servers and networks. It enables efficient load balancing, fault tolerance, and traffic engineering, ensuring high availability and reliable data transfer.

Wide Area Networks (WAN):For organizations with geographically dispersed locations, WANs are the backbone of their communication infrastructure. Optimal layer 3 forwarding in WANs ensures efficient routing of traffic across different locations, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Enhance Layer 3 Forwarding

Understanding Layer 3 Forwarding

Layer 3 forwarding, also known as network layer forwarding, operates at the network layer of the OSI model. It involves the process of examining the destination IP address of incoming packets and determining the most efficient path for their delivery. By utilizing routing tables and algorithms, layer 3 forwarding ensures that data packets reach their intended destinations swiftly and accurately.

Routing protocols play a crucial role in layer 3 forwarding. They facilitate the exchange of routing information between routers, enabling them to build and maintain accurate routing tables. Common routing protocols such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) contribute to the efficient forwarding of packets across complex networks.

Optimal layer 3 forwarding offers numerous advantages for network performance and reliability. Firstly, it enables load balancing, distributing traffic across multiple paths to prevent congestion and bottlenecks. Additionally, it enhances network scalability by accommodating network growth and adapting to changes in network topology. Moreover, optimal layer 3 forwarding contributes to improved fault tolerance, ensuring that alternative routes are available in case of link failures.

To achieve optimal layer 3 forwarding, certain best practices should be followed. These include regular updates of routing tables to reflect network changes, implementing security measures to protect against unauthorized access, and monitoring network performance to identify and resolve any issues promptly. By adhering to these practices, network administrators can optimize layer 3 forwarding and maintain a robust and efficient network infrastructure.

Benefits of Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding:

1. Enhanced Scalability: Optimal Layer 3 forwarding allows networks to scale effectively by efficiently handling a growing number of connected devices and increasing traffic volumes. It enables seamless expansion without compromising network performance.

2. Improved Network Resilience: Optimized Layer 3 forwarding enhances network resilience by selecting the most efficient path for data packets. It enables networks to quickly adapt to network topology or link failure changes, rerouting traffic to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

3. Better Resource Utilization: Optimal Layer 3 forwarding optimizes resource utilization by distributing traffic across multiple links. This enables efficient utilization of available network capacity, reducing the risk of bottlenecks and maximizing the network’s throughput.

4. Enhanced Security: Optimal Layer 3 forwarding contributes to network security by ensuring traffic is directed through secure paths. It also enables the implementation of firewall policies and access control lists, protecting the network from unauthorized access and potential security threats.

Implementing Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding:

To achieve optimal Layer 3 forwarding, various technologies and protocols are utilized, such as:

1. Routing Protocols: Dynamic routing protocols, such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), enable networks to exchange routing information automatically and determine the best path for data packets.

2. Quality of Service (QoS): QoS mechanisms prioritize network traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and reducing the impact of congestion.

3. Network Monitoring and Analysis: Continuous network monitoring and analysis tools provide real-time visibility into network performance, enabling administrators to promptly identify and resolve potential issues.

Use Case: Understanding Performance-Based Routing

Performance-based routing is a dynamic routing technique that uses real-time data and metrics to determine the most efficient path for data packets to travel across a network; unlike traditional static routing, which relies on pre-defined paths, performance-based routing leverages intelligent algorithms and analytics to dynamically choose the optimal route based on bandwidth availability, latency, and network congestion.

By embracing performance-based routing, organizations can unlock a myriad of benefits. Firstly, it improves network efficiency by automatically rerouting traffic away from congested or underperforming links, ensuring an uninterrupted data flow. Secondly, it enhances user experience by minimizing latency and maximizing bandwidth utilization, leading to faster response times and smoother data transfers. Lastly, it optimizes cost by leveraging different network paths intelligently, reducing reliance on expensive dedicated links.

Implementing performance-based routing requires hardware, software, and network infrastructure. Organizations can choose from various solutions, including software-defined networking (SDN) controllers, intelligent routers, and network monitoring tools. These tools enable real-time monitoring and analysis of network performance metrics, allowing administrators to make data-driven routing decisions.

What is Routing?

Routing is like a network’s GPS. It involves directing data packets from their source to their destination across multiple networks. Think of it as the process of determining the best possible path for data to travel. Routers, the essential devices responsible for routing, use various algorithms and protocols to make intelligent decisions about where to send data packets next.

Routing involves determining the most appropriate path for data packets to reach their destination. The next hop refers to the immediate network device to which a packet should be forwarded before reaching its final destination.

Administrative distance can be defined as a measure of the trustworthiness of a particular routing information source. It is a numerical value assigned to different routing protocols, indicating their level of reliability or preference. Essentially, administrative distance represents the “distance” between a router and the source of routing information, with lower values indicating higher reliability and trustworthiness.

Static routing forms the backbone of network infrastructure, providing a manual route configuration. Unlike dynamic routing protocols, which adapt to network changes automatically, static routing relies on predetermined paths. Network administrators have complete control over traffic paths by manually configuring routes in the routing table.

Load Balancing and Next Hop

In scenarios where multiple paths are available to reach a destination, load-balancing techniques come into play. Load balancing distributes the traffic across different paths, preventing congestion and maximizing network utilization. However, determining the optimal next hop becomes a challenge in load-balancing scenarios. We will explore the intricacies of load balancing and its impact on next-hop decisions.

Different load-balancing strategies exist, each with its approach to selecting the next hop. Dynamic load balancing algorithms adaptively choose the next hop based on real-time metrics like response time and server load, such as Least Response Time (LRT) and Weighted Least Loaded (WLL). On the other hand, static load balancing algorithms, like Round Robin and Static Weighted, distribute traffic evenly without considering dynamic factors.

VMware NSX ALB

**What is NSX ALB?**

NSX ALB, formerly known as Avi Networks, is a modern, software-defined load balancing solution that integrates seamlessly into VMware’s NSX ecosystem. Unlike traditional hardware-based load balancers, NSX ALB offers a flexible, cloud-native approach to managing network traffic. With its advanced analytics, automation, and multi-cloud capabilities, NSX ALB stands out as a game-changer in the field of network services.

**Key Features of NSX ALB**

– **Scalability:** NSX ALB can dynamically scale to handle increasing traffic loads, ensuring optimal performance during peak times.

– **Automation:** The platform automates routine network management tasks, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing human error.

– **Analytics:** With real-time insights and detailed analytics, NSX ALB allows administrators to monitor network performance, troubleshoot issues, and make data-driven decisions.

– **Security:** NSX ALB includes robust security features, such as SSL/TLS termination and DDoS protection, to safeguard your network from threats.

Understanding Cisco CEF

Cisco CEF is a high-performance, scalable packet-switching technology that operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model. Unlike traditional routing protocols, CEF utilizes a Forwarding Information Base (FIB) and an Adjacency Table (ADJ) to expedite the forwarding process. By maintaining a precomputed forwarding table, CEF minimizes the need for route lookups, resulting in superior performance.

Dynamic Routing Protocols and Next Hop Selection

Dynamic routing protocols, such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), play a vital role in modern networks. These protocols dynamically exchange routing information among network devices, enabling efficient adaptation to network changes. Next-hop selection in dynamic routing protocols involves considering factors like path cost, network congestion, and link reliability. This section will provide insights into how dynamic routing protocols influence next-hop decisions.

EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is a dynamic routing protocol widely used in enterprise networks. Load balancing with EIGRP involves distributing traffic across multiple paths to prevent congestion and ensure optimal utilization of available links. By intelligently spreading the load, EIGRP load balancing enhances network performance and enables efficient utilization of network resources.

Policy-Based Routing and Next Hop Manipulation

Policy-based routing allows network administrators to customize routing decisions based on specific criteria. It provides granular control over next-hop selection, enabling the implementation of complex routing policies. We will explore the concept of policy-based routing and how it offers flexibility in manipulating next-hop decisions to meet specific requirements.

Understanding Policy-Based Routing

Policy-based routing is a technique that enables network administrators to make routing decisions based on policies defined at a higher level than traditional routing protocols. Unlike conventional routing, which relies on destination address alone, PBR considers additional factors such as source address, application type, and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Administrators gain fine-grained control over traffic flow, allowing for optimized network performance and enhanced security.

Implementation of Policy-Based Routing

Network administrators need to follow a few key steps to implement policy-based routing. Firstly, they must define the routing policies based on their specific requirements and objectives. This involves determining the matching criteria, such as source/destination address, application type, or protocol. Once the policies are defined, they must be configured on the network devices, typically using command-line interfaces or graphical user interfaces provided by the network equipment vendors. Additionally, administrators should monitor and fine-tune the PBR implementation to ensure optimal performance and adapt to changing network conditions.

Real-World Use Cases of Policy-Based Routing

Policy-based routing finds application in various scenarios across different industries. One everyday use case is in multi-homed networks, where traffic needs to be distributed across multiple internet service providers (ISPs) based on defined policies. PBR can also prioritize traffic for specific applications or users, ensuring critical services have the capacity and low latency. Moreover, policy-based routing enables network segmentation, allowing different departments or user groups to be isolated and treated differently based on their unique requirements.

GRE and Next Hops

Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) is a tunneling protocol that enables the encapsulation of various network protocols within IP packets. It provides a flexible and scalable solution for deploying virtual private networks (VPNs) and connecting disparate networks over an existing IP infrastructure. By encapsulating multiple protocol types, GRE allows for seamless network communication, regardless of their underlying technologies. Notice the next hop below is the tunnel interface.

Recap: The Role of Switching

While routing deals with data flow between networks, switching comes into play within a single network. Switches serve as the traffic managers within a local area network (LAN). They connect devices, such as computers, printers, and servers, allowing them to communicate with one another. Switches receive incoming data packets and use MAC addresses to determine which device the data should be forwarded to. This efficient and direct communication within a network makes switching so critical.

VLAN performance challenges can arise from various factors. One common issue is VLAN congestion, which occurs when multiple VLANs compete for limited network resources. This congestion can increase latency, packet loss, and degraded network performance. Additionally, VLAN misconfigurations, such as improper VLAN tagging or overlapping IP address ranges, can also impact performance.

Recap: The Role of Segmentation

Segmentation is dividing a network into smaller, isolated segments or subnets. Each subnet operates independently, with its own set of rules and configurations. This division allows for better control and management of network traffic, leading to improved performance and security.

VLANs operate at the OSI model’s data link layer (Layer 2). They use switch technology to create separate broadcast domains within a network, enabling traffic isolation and control. VLANs can be configured based on department, function, or security requirements.

Understanding Virtual Routing and Forwarding

Virtual Routing and Forwarding, also known as VRF, is a technology that allows multiple virtual routing tables to coexist within a single physical router or switch. Each VRF functions as an independent entity with its routing table, forwarding decisions, and network interfaces. By separating the routing instances, VRF enables network administrators to create virtual networks that are isolated and independent from each other.

VRF offers several notable advantages in network design and management. Firstly, it enhances network security by creating logical boundaries between virtual networks. This isolation prevents unauthorized access and potential security breaches. Secondly, VRF simplifies network management by allowing administrators to implement customized routing policies for each virtual network. This flexibility enables efficient traffic engineering and optimization. Lastly, VRF facilitates network scalability as it enables the seamless integration of new virtual networks without disrupting existing ones.

Applications of Virtual Routing and Forwarding

The applications of VRF extend across various networking scenarios. One everyday use case is in multi-tenant environments like data centers or service provider networks. VRF enables different tenants to have their isolated networks while sharing the same physical infrastructure. VRF is also valuable in enterprise networks, which can be used to separate departments or branch offices, providing secure and efficient communication. Additionally, VRF plays a crucial role in implementing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), allowing organizations to connect geographically dispersed networks over the internet securely.

Achieving Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding:

Optimal Layer 3 forwarding ensures that data packets are transmitted through the most efficient path, improving network performance. It minimizes packet loss, latency, and jitter, enhancing user experience. By selecting the best path, optimal Layer 3 forwarding also enables load balancing, distributing the traffic evenly across multiple links, thus preventing congestion.

One key challenge in network performance is identifying and resolving bottlenecks. These bottlenecks can occur due to congested network links, outdated hardware, or inefficient routing protocols. Organizations can optimize bandwidth utilization by conducting thorough network assessments and employing intelligent traffic management techniques, ensuring smooth data flow and reduced latency.

Understanding Nexus 9000 Series VRRP

Nexus 9000 Series VRRP is a protocol designed to provide router redundancy in a network environment, ensuring minimal downtime and seamless failover. It works by creating a virtual router using multiple physical routers, enabling seamless traffic redirection in the event of a failure. This protocol offers an active-passive architecture, where one router assumes the role of the primary router while others act as backups.

One key advantage of Nexus 9000 Series VRRP is its ability to provide network redundancy without the need for complex configurations. By leveraging VRRP, network administrators can ensure that their infrastructure remains operational despite hardware failures or network outages. Additionally, VRRP enables load balancing, allowing for efficient utilization of network resources.

Understanding Layer 3 Etherchannel

Layer 3 Etherchannel, also known as Multilayer Etherchannel or Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP), is a technology that enables the bundling of multiple physical links between switches or routers into a single logical interface. Unlike Layer 2 Etherchannel, which operates at the data link layer, Layer 3 Etherchannel operates at the network layer, allowing for the distribution of traffic across parallel links based on IP routing protocols.

Layer 3 Etherchannel offers several advantages for network administrators and organizations. Firstly, it enhances network performance by increasing available bandwidth and enabling load balancing across multiple links. This results in improved data transmission speeds and reduced congestion. Additionally, Layer 3 Etherchannel provides redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even during link failures. Distributing traffic across multiple links enhances network resiliency and minimizes downtime.

Benefits of Port Channel

a. Increased Bandwidth: With Port Channel, you can combine the bandwidth of multiple interfaces, significantly boosting your network’s overall capacity. This is especially crucial for bandwidth-intensive applications and data-intensive workloads.

b. Redundancy and High Availability: Port Channel offers built-in redundancy by distributing traffic across multiple interfaces. In a link failure, traffic seamlessly switches to the remaining active links, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and minimizing downtime.

c. Load Balancing: The Port Channel technology intelligently distributes traffic across the bundled interfaces, optimizing the utilization of available resources. This results in better performance, reduced congestion, and enhanced user experience.

Understanding Cisco Nexus 9000 VPC

Cisco Nexus 9000 VPC is a technology that enables the creation of a virtual link aggregation group (LAG) between two Nexus switches. Combining multiple physical links into a single logical link increases bandwidth, redundancy, and load-balancing capabilities. This innovative feature allows for enhanced network flexibility and scalability.

One of the prominent features of Cisco Nexus 9000 VPC is its ability to eliminate the need for spanning tree protocol (STP) by enabling Layer 2 multipathing. This results in improved link utilization and better network performance. Additionally, VPC offers seamless workload mobility, allowing live virtual machines (VMs) migration across Nexus switches without disruption. The benefits of Cisco Nexus 9000 VPC extend to simplified management, reduced downtime, and enhanced network resiliency.

Implementing Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

a) Choosing the Right Routing Protocol: An appropriate routing protocol, such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, is crucial for implementing optimal layer three forwarding. Routing protocols are algorithms or protocols that dictate how data packets are forwarded from one network to another. They establish the best paths for data transmission, considering network congestion, distance, and reliability.

One key area of routing protocol enhancements lies in introducing advanced metrics and load-balancing techniques. Modern routing protocols can evaluate network conditions, latency, and link bandwidth by considering factors beyond traditional metrics like hop count. This enables intelligent load balancing, distributing traffic across multiple paths to prevent congestion and maximize network efficiency.

Example Technology: BFD

Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) is a lightweight protocol designed to detect link failures quickly. It operates at the network layer and detects rapid failure between adjacent routers or devices. BFD accomplishes this by sending periodic control packets, known as BFD control packets, to monitor the status of links and detect any failures.

BFD plays a vital role in achieving rapid routing protocol convergence. By providing fast link failure detection, BFD allows routing protocols to detect and respond to failures swiftly. When a link failure is detected by BFD, it triggers routing protocols to recalculate paths and update forwarding tables, minimizing the failure’s impact on network connectivity.

b) Network Segmentation: Breaking down large networks into smaller subnets enhances routing efficiency and reduces network complexity. By dividing the network into smaller segments, managing and controlling the data flow becomes easier. Each segment can have its security policies, access controls, and monitoring mechanisms. Segmentation improves network performance by reducing congestion and optimizing data flow. It allows organizations to prioritize critical traffic and allocate resources effectively.

Example: Segmentation with VXLAN

VXLAN is a groundbreaking technology that addresses the limitations of traditional VLANs. It provides a scalable solution for network segmentation by leveraging overlay networks. VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames in Layer 3 UDP packets, enabling the creation of virtual Layer 2 networks over an existing Layer 3 infrastructure. This allows for greater flexibility, improved scalability, and simplified network management.

c) Traffic Engineering: Network operators can further optimize layer three forwarding by leveraging traffic engineering techniques, such as MPLS or segment routing. Network traffic engineering involves the strategic management and control of network traffic flow. It encompasses various techniques and methodologies to optimize network utilization and enhance user experience. Directing traffic intelligently aims to minimize congestion, reduce latency, and improve overall network performance.

– Traffic Shaping: This technique regulates network traffic flow to prevent congestion and ensure a fair bandwidth distribution. By prioritizing certain types of traffic, such as real-time applications or critical data, traffic shaping can effectively optimize network resources.

– Load Balancing: Load balancing distributes network traffic across multiple paths or servers, evenly distributing the workload and preventing bottlenecks. This technique improves network performance, increases scalability, and enhances fault tolerance.

Understanding Router Advertisement Preference

The first step in comprehending Router Advertisement Preference is to understand its purpose. RAs are messages routers send to announce their presence and provide crucial network configuration information. These messages contain various parameters, including the Router Advertisement Preference, which determines the priority of the routers in the network.

IPv6 Router Advertisement Preference offers three main options: High, Medium, and Low. Each of these preferences has a specific impact on how devices on the network make their choices. High-preference routers are prioritized over others, while Medium and low-preference routers are considered fallback options if the High-preference router becomes unavailable.

Several factors influence the Router Advertisement Preference selection process. These factors include the source of the RA, the router’s priority level, and the network’s trustworthiness. By carefully considering these factors, network administrators can optimize their configurations to ensure efficient routing and seamless connectivity.

Configuring Router Advertisement Preference involves various steps, depending on the network infrastructure and the devices involved. Some common methods include modifying router settings, using network management tools, or implementing specific protocols like DHCPv6 to influence the preference selection process. Understanding the network’s specific requirements is crucial for effective configuration.

Implementing Quality of Service (QoS) Policies

Implementing quality of service (QoS) policies is essential to prioritizing critical applications and ensuring optimal user experience. QoS allows network administrators to allocate network resources based on application requirements, guaranteeing a minimum level of service for high-priority applications. Organizations can prevent congestion, reduce latency, and deliver consistent performance by classifying and prioritizing traffic flows.

Leveraging Load Balancing Techniques

Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across multiple paths optimizes resource utilization and prevents bottlenecks.

Load balancing is crucial in distributing network traffic across multiple servers or links, optimizing resource utilization, and preventing overload. Organizations can achieve better network performance, fault tolerance, and enhanced scalability by implementing intelligent load-balancing algorithms. Load balancing techniques, such as round-robin, least connections, or weighted distribution, ensure efficient utilization of network resources.

Example: EIGRP configuration

EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector routing protocol developed by Cisco Systems. It is known for its fast convergence, efficient bandwidth use, and support for IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Unlike traditional distance-vector protocols, EIGRP utilizes a more sophisticated Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) to determine the best path to a destination. This enables networks to adapt quickly to changes and ensures optimal routing efficiency.

EIGRP load balancing enables routers to distribute traffic among multiple paths, maximizing the utilization of available resources. It is achieved through the equal-cost multipath (ECMP) mechanism, which allows for the simultaneous use of various routes with equal metrics. By leveraging ECMP, EIGRP load balancing enhances network reliability, minimizes congestion, and improves overall performance

Use Case: Performance Routing

Understanding Performance Routing

PfR, or Cisco Performance Routing, is an advanced network routing technology designed to optimize network traffic flow. Unlike traditional static routing, PfR dynamically selects the best path for traffic based on predefined policies and real-time network conditions. By monitoring network performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, PfR intelligently routes traffic to ensure efficient utilization of network resources and improved user experience.

PfR operates through a three-step process: monitoring, decision-making, and optimization. In the monitoring phase, PfR continuously collects performance data from various network devices and probes, gathering information about network conditions such as delay, loss, and jitter. Based on this data, PfR makes intelligent decisions in the decision-making phase, analyzing policies and constraints to select the optimal traffic path. Finally, in the optimization phase, PfR dynamically adjusts the traffic flow, rerouting packets based on the chosen path and continuously monitoring network performance to adapt to changing conditions.

Advanced Topic

BGP Multipath

BGP Multipath refers to BGP’s ability to install multiple paths into the routing table for the same destination prefix. Traditionally, BGP only selects and installs a single best path based on factors like path length, AS path, etc. However, with Multipath, BGP can install and utilize multiple paths concurrently, enhancing flexibility and improved network performance.

The utilization of BGP Multipath brings several advantages to network operators. Firstly, it allows for load balancing across multiple paths, distributing traffic and preventing congestion on any single link. This load-balancing mechanism enhances network efficiency and ensures optimal resource utilization. Additionally, Multipath increases network resiliency by providing redundancy. In a link failure, traffic can be seamlessly rerouted through alternate paths, minimizing downtime and improving overall network reliability.

Strategies for Achieving Network Scalability:

Optimal layer three forwarding allows networks to scale seamlessly, accommodating growing traffic demands while maintaining high performance. Scalable networks offer numerous benefits to businesses and organizations. Firstly, they provide flexibility, allowing the network to adapt to changing requirements and accommodate growth without major disruptions. Scalable networks also enhance performance by distributing the workload efficiently, preventing congestion and ensuring smooth operations. Additionally, scalability promotes cost-efficiency by minimizing the need for frequent infrastructure upgrades and reducing downtime.

-Scalable Network Architecture: Designing a scalable network architecture is the foundation for achieving network scalability. This involves utilizing modular components, implementing redundant systems, and employing technologies like virtualization and cloud computing.

-Bandwidth Management: Effective bandwidth management is crucial for network scalability. It involves monitoring and optimizing bandwidth usage, prioritizing critical applications, and implementing Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms to ensure smooth data flow.

-Scalable Network Equipment: Investing in scalable network equipment is essential for long-term growth. This includes switches, routers, and access points that can handle increasing traffic and provide room for expansion.

-Load Balancing: Implementing load balancing mechanisms helps distribute network traffic evenly across multiple servers or resources. This prevents overloading of specific devices and enhances overall network performance and reliability.

Example Feature: BGP Next Hop Tracking

BGP next-hop tracking is a mechanism used to validate the reachability of the next-hop IP address. It verifies that the next hop advertised by BGP is indeed reachable, preventing potential routing issues. By continuously monitoring the next hop status, network administrators can ensure optimal routing decisions and maintain network stability.

The implementation of BGP next-hop tracking offers several key benefits. First, it enhances network resilience by detecting and reacting promptly to next-hop failures. This proactive approach prevents traffic black-holing and minimizes service disruptions. Additionally, it enables efficient load balancing by accurately identifying the available next-hop options based on their reachability status.

Understanding BGP Route Reflection

At its core, BGP route reflection is a technique used to alleviate the burden of full mesh configurations within BGP networks. Traditionally, each BGP router would establish a full mesh of connections with its peers, exponentially increasing the number of sessions as the network expands. However, with route reflection, certain routers are designated as route reflectors, simplifying the mesh and reducing the required sessions.

Route reflectors act as centralized points for reflection, collecting, and disseminating routing information to other routers in the network. They maintain a separate BGP table, the reflection table, which stores all the routing information received from clients and other route reflectors. By consolidating this information, route reflectors enable efficient propagation of updates, reducing the need for full-mesh connections.

Technologies Driving Enhanced Network Scalability

The Rise of Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has emerged as a game-changer in network scalability. By decoupling the control plane from the data plane, SDN enables centralized network management and programmability. This approach significantly enhances network flexibility, allowing organizations to dynamically adapt to changing traffic patterns and scale their networks with ease.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Network Function Virtualization (NFV) complements SDN by virtualizing network services that were traditionally implemented using dedicated hardware devices. By running network functions on standard servers or cloud infrastructure, NFV eliminates the need for physical equipment, reducing costs and improving scalability. NFV empowers organizations to rapidly deploy and scale network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems, leading to enhanced network agility.

The Emergence of Edge Computing: With the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and real-time applications, the demand for low-latency and high-bandwidth connectivity has surged. Edge computing brings computational capabilities closer to the data source, enabling faster data processing and reduced network congestion. By leveraging edge computing technologies, organizations can achieve enhanced network scalability by offloading processing tasks from centralized data centers to edge devices.

The Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML are revolutionizing network scalability by optimizing network performance, predicting traffic patterns, and automating network management. These technologies enable intelligent traffic routing, congestion control, and predictive scaling, ensuring that networks can dynamically adapt to changing demands. By harnessing the power of AI and ML, organizations can achieve unprecedented levels of network scalability and efficiency.

Vendor Example: Arista with Large Layer-3 Multipath

Network congestion: In complex network environments, layer 3 forwarding can lead to congestion if not correctly managed. Network administrators must carefully monitor and analyze traffic patterns to proactively address congestion issues and optimize routing decisions.

Arista EOS supports hardware for Leaf ( ToR ), Spine, and Spline data center design layers. Its wide product range supports significant layer-3 multipath ( 16 – 64-way ECMP ) with excellent optimal Layer 3-forwarding technologies. Unfortunately, multi-protocol Label Switching ( MPLS ) is limited to static MPLS labels, which could become an operational nightmare. Currently, no Fibre Channel over Ethernet ( FCoE ) support exists.

Arista supports massive Layer-2 Multipath with ( Multichassis Link aggregation ) MLAG. Validated designs with Arista Core 7508 switches ( offer 768 10GE ports ) and Arista Leaf 7050S-64 support over 1980 x 10GE server ports with 1:2,75 oversubscription. That’s a lot of 10GE ports. Do you think layer 2 domains should be designed to that scale?

Related: Before you proceed, you may find the following helpful:

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Every IP host in a network is configured with its IP address and mask and the IP address of the default gateway. Suppose the host wants to send traffic, which, in our case, is to a destination address that does not belong to a subnet to which the host is directly attached; the host passes the packet to the default gateway, which would be a Layer 3 router.

The Role of The Default Gateway

A standard misconception is how the address of the default gateway is used. People mistakenly believe that when a packet is sent to the Layer 3 default router, the sending host sets the destination address in the IP packet as the default gateway router address. However, if this were the case, the router would consider the packet addressed to itself and not forward it any further. So why configure the default gateway’s IP address?

First, the host uses the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to find the specified router’s Media Access Control (MAC) address. Then, having acquired the router’s MAC address, the host sends the packets directly to it as data link unicast submissions.

Google Cloud Data Centers

Understanding VPC Networking

VPC Networking, short for Virtual Private Cloud Networking, provides organizations with a customizable and private virtual network environment. It allows users to create and manage virtual machines, instances, and other resources within their own isolated network.

a) Subnets and IP Address Management: VPC Networking enables the subdivision of a network into multiple subnets, each with its own range of IP addresses, facilitating better organization and control.

b) Firewall Rules and Network Security: With VPC Networking, users can define and manage firewall rules to control network traffic, ensuring the highest level of security for their resources.

c) VPN and Direct Peering: VPC Networking offers secure connectivity options, such as VPN tunnels and direct peering, allowing users to establish reliable connections between their on-premises infrastructure and the cloud.

Understanding the Basics of Cloud CDN

Cloud CDN is a globally distributed network of servers strategically placed across various locations. This network acts as a middleman between users and content providers, ensuring faster content delivery by serving cached copies of web content from the server closest to the user’s location. By leveraging Google’s robust infrastructure, Cloud CDN minimizes latency, reduces bandwidth costs, and enhances the overall user experience.

Accelerated Content Delivery: Cloud CDN employs advanced caching techniques to store frequently accessed content at edge locations. This minimizes the round-trip time and enables near-instantaneous content delivery, regardless of the user’s location.

Global Scalability: With Cloud CDN, businesses can scale their content delivery operations globally. The network’s extensive presence across multiple regions ensures that content is delivered with optimal speed, regardless of the user’s geographical location.

Cost Efficiency: Cloud CDN significantly reduces bandwidth usage by serving cached content and mitigates the strain on origin servers. This leads to substantial cost savings by minimizing data transfer fees and lowering infrastructure requirements.

Arista deep buffers: Why are they important?

A vital switch table you need to be concerned with for large 3 networks is the size of Address Resolution Protocol ( ARP ) tables. When ARP tables become full and packets are offered with the destination ( next hop ) that isn’t cached, the network will experience flooding and suffer performance problems.

Arista Spine switches have deep buffers, which are ideal for bursty- and latency-sensitive environments. They are also perfect when you have little knowledge of the application traffic matrix, as they can handle most types efficiently.

Finally, deep buffers are most useful in spine layers, where traffic concentration occurs. If you are concerned that ToR switches do not have enough buffers, physically direct servers to chassis-based switches in the Core / Spine layer.

Optimal layer 3 forwarding

Every data center has some mix of layer 2 bridging and layer 3 forwardings. The design selected depends on layer 2 / layer 3 boundaries. Data centers that use MAC-over-IP usually have layer 3 boundaries on the ToR switch. Fully virtualized data centers require large layer 2 domains ( for VM mobility ), while VLANs span Core or Spine layers.

Either of these designs can result in suboptimal traffic flow. Layer 2 forwarding in ToR switches and layer 3 forwarding in Core may result in servers in different VLANs connected to the same ToR switches being hairpinned to the closest Layer 3 switch.

Solutions that offer optimal Layer 3 forwarding in the data center were available. These may include stacking ToR switches, architectures that present the whole fabric as a single layer 3 elements ( Juniper QFabric ), and controller-based architectures (NEC’s Programmable Flow ). While these solutions may suffice for some business requirements, they don’t have optimal Layer 3 forward across the whole data center while using sets of independent devices.

Arista Virtual ARP does this. All ToR switches share the same IP and MAC with a common VLAN. Configuration involves the same first-hop gateway IP address on a VLAN for all ToR switches and mapping the MAC address to the configured shared IP address. The design ensures optimal Layer 3 forwarding between two ToR endpoints and optimal inbound traffic forwarding.

Load balancing enhancements

Arista 7150 is an ultra-low-latency 10GE switch ( 350 – 380 ns ). It offers load-balancing enhancements other than the standard 5-tuple mechanism. Arista supports new load-balancing profiles. Load-balancing profiles allow you to decide what bit and byte of the packet you want to use as the hash for the load-balancing mechanism, offering more scope and granularity than the traditional 5-tuple mechanism.

LACP fallback

With traditional Link Aggregation ( LAG ), LAG is enabled after receiving the first LACP packet. This is because the physical interfaces are not operational and are down / down before receiving LACP packets. This is viable and perfectly OK unless you need auto-provisioning. What does LACP fallback mean?

If you don’t receive an LACP packet and the LACP fallback is configured, one of the links will still become active and will be UP / UP. Continue using the Bridge Protocol Data Unit ( BPDU ) guard on those ports, as you don’t want a switch to bridge between two ports, create a forwarding loop.

Direct server return

7050 series supports Direct Server Return. The load balancer in the forwarding path does not do NAT. Implementation includes configuring VIP on the load balancer’s outside IP and the internal servers’ loopback. It is essential not to configure the same IP address on server LAN interfaces, as ARP replies will clash. The load balancer sends the packet unmodified to the server, and the server sends it straight to the client.

It requires layer 2 between the load balancer and servers; the load balancer needs to use a MAC address between the load balancer and servers. It is possible to use IP called Direct Server Return IP-in-IP. Requires any layer 3 connectivity between the load balancer and servers.

Arista 7050 IP-in-IP Tunnel supports essential load balancing, so one can save the cost of not buying an external load-balancing device. However, it’s a scaled-down model, and you don’t get the advanced features you might have with Citrix or F5 load balancers.

Link flap detection

Networks have a variety of link flaps. Networks can experience fast and regular flapping; sometimes, you get irregular flapping. Arista has a generic mechanism to detect flaps so you can create flap profiles that offer more granularity to flap management. Flap profiles can be configured on individual interfaces or globally. It is possible to have multiple profiles on one interface.

Detecting failed servers

The problem is when we have scale-out applications, and you need to detect server failures. When no load balancer appliance exists, this has to be with application-level keepalives or, even worse, Transmission Control Protocol ( TCP ) timeouts. TCP timeout could take minutes. Arista uses Rapid Indication of Link Loss ( RAIL ) to improve performance. RAIL improves the convergence time of TCP-based scale-out applications.

OpenFlow support

Support OpenFlow Protocol 1.0. Available on 7050 series.

Arista matches 750 complete entries or 1500 layer 2 match entries, which would be destination MAC addresses. They can’t match IPv6 or any ARP codes or inside ARP packets, which are part of OpenFlow 1.0. Limited support enables only VLAN or layer 3 forwardings. If matching on layer 3 forwarding, match either the source or destination IP address and rewrite the layer 2 destination address to the next hop.

Arista offers a VLAN bind mode, configuring a certain amount of VLANs belonging to OpenFlow and another set of VLANs belonging to standard Layer 3. Openflow implementation is known as “ships in the night.”

Arista also supports a monitor mode. Monitor mode is regular forwarding with OpenFlow on top of it. Instead of allowing the OpenFlow controller to forward forwarding entries, forwarding entries are programmed by traditional means via Layer 2 or Layer 3 routing protocol mechanism. OpenFlow processing is used parallel to conventional routing—openflow then copies packets to SPAN ports, offering granular monitoring capabilities.

DirectFlow

Direct Flow – I want all traffic from source A to destination A to go through the standard path, but any HTTP traffic goes via a firewall for inspection. i.e., set the output interface to X and a similar entry for the return path, and now you have traffic going to the firewall but for port 80 only.

It offers the same functionality as OpenFlow but without a central controller piece. DirectFlow can configure OpenFlow with forwarding entries through CLI or REST API and is used for Traffic Engineering ( TE ) or symmetrical ECMP. Direct Flow is easy to implement as you don’t need a controller. Just use a REST API available in EOS to configure the flows.

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding: Final Points

Optimal Layer 3 forwarding is a critical network architecture component that significantly impacts network performance, scalability, and reliability. Efficiently routing data packets through the best paths enhances network resilience, resource utilization, and security.

Implementing optimal Layer 3 forwarding through routing protocols, QoS mechanisms, and network monitoring ensures a robust and efficient network infrastructure. Embracing this technology allows organizations to deliver seamless connectivity and a superior user experience in today’s increasingly interconnected world.

Summary: Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

In today’s rapidly evolving networking world, achieving efficient, high-performance routing is paramount. Layer 3 forwarding is crucial in this process, enabling seamless communication between different networks. This blog post delved into optimal layer 3 forwarding, exploring its significance, benefits, and implementation strategies.

Understanding Layer 3 Forwarding

Layer 3 forwarding, also known as IP forwarding, is the process of forwarding network packets at the network layer of the OSI model. It involves making intelligent routing decisions based on IP addresses, enabling data to travel across different networks efficiently. We can unlock its full potential by understanding the fundamentals of layer 3 forwarding.

The Significance of Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Optimal layer 3 forwarding is crucial in modern networking architectures. It ensures packets are forwarded through the most efficient path, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput. With exponential data traffic growth, optimizing layer 3 forwarding becomes essential to support demanding applications and services.

Strategies for Achieving Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

There are several strategies and techniques that network administrators can employ to achieve optimal layer 3 forwarding. These include:

1. Load Balancing: Distributing traffic across multiple paths to prevent congestion and utilize available network resources efficiently.

2. Quality of Service (QoS): Implementing QoS mechanisms to prioritize certain types of traffic, ensuring critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.

3. Route Optimization: Utilizing advanced routing protocols and algorithms to select the most efficient paths based on real-time network conditions.

4. Network Monitoring and Analysis: Deploying monitoring tools to gain insights into network performance, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions for optimal forwarding.

Benefits of Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

By implementing optimal layer 3 forwarding techniques, network administrators can unlock a range of benefits, including:

– Enhanced network performance and reduced latency, leading to improved user experience.

– Increased scalability and capacity to handle growing network demands.

– Improved utilization of network resources, resulting in cost savings.

– Better resiliency and fault tolerance, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity.

Conclusion:

Optimal layer 3 forwarding is key to unlocking modern networking’s true potential. Organizations can stay at the forefront of network performance and deliver seamless connectivity to their users by understanding its significance, implementing effective strategies, and reaping its benefits.

What is OpenFlow

September 25, 2014

by Matt Conran Blog

What is OpenFlow?

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, network management and data flow control have become critical for businesses of all sizes. OpenFlow is one technology that has gained significant attention and is transforming how networks are managed. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of OpenFlow, its advantages, and its implications for network control.

OpenFlow is an open-standard communications protocol that separates the control and data planes in a network architecture. It allows network administrators to have direct control over the behavior of network devices, such as switches and routers, by utilizing a centralized controller.

Traditional network architectures follow a closed model, where network devices make independent decisions on forwarding packets. On the other hand, OpenFlow introduces a centralized control plane that provides a global view of the network and allows administrators to define network policies and rules from a centralized location.

OpenFlow operates by establishing a secure channel between the centralized controller and the network switches. The controller is responsible for managing the flow tables within the switches, defining how traffic should be forwarded based on predefined rules and policies. This separation of control and data planes allows for dynamic network management and facilitates the implementation of innovative network protocols.

One of the key advantages of OpenFlow is its ability to simplify network management. By centralizing control, administrators can easily configure and manage the entire network from a single point of control. This reduces complexity and enhances the scalability of network infrastructure. Additionally, OpenFlow enables network programmability, allowing for the development of custom networking applications and services tailored to specific requirements.

OpenFlow plays a crucial role in network virtualization, as it allows for the creation and management of virtual networks on top of physical infrastructure. By abstracting the underlying network, OpenFlow empowers organizations to optimize resource utilization, improve security, and enhance network performance. It opens doors to dynamic provisioning, isolation, and efficient utilization of network resources.

Matt Conran

Highlights: What is OpenFlow?

How does OpenFlow work?

OpenFlow allows network controllers to determine the path of network packets in a network of switches. There is a difference between switches and controllers. With separate control and forwarding, traffic management can be more sophisticated than access control lists (ACLs) and routing protocols. An OpenFlow protocol allows switches from different vendors, often with proprietary interfaces and scripting languages, to be managed remotely. Software-defined networking (SDN) is considered to be enabled by OpenFlow by its inventors.

With OpenFlow, Layer 3 switches can add, modify, and remove packet-matching rules and actions remotely. By doing so, routing decisions can be made periodically or ad hoc by the controller and translated into rules and actions with a configurable lifespan, which are then deployed to the switch’s flow table, where packets are forwarded at wire speed for the duration of the rule. If the switch cannot match packets, they can be sent to the controller. The controller can modify existing flow table rules or deploy new rules to prevent a structural traffic flow. It may even forward the traffic itself if the switch is instructed to forward packets rather than just their headers.

OpenFlow uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Switches wishing to connect should listen on TCP port 6653. In earlier versions of OpenFlow, port 6633 was unofficially used. The protocol is mainly used between switches and controllers.

Introducing SDN

Recent changes and requirements have driven networks and network services to become more flexible, virtualization-aware, and API-driven. One major trend affecting the future of networking is software-defined networking ( SDN ). The software-defined architecture aims to extract the entire network into a single switch.

Software-defined networking (SDN) is an evolving technology defined by the Open Networking Foundation ( ONF ). It involves the physical separation of the network control plane from the forwarding plane, where a control plane controls several devices. This differs significantly from traditional IP forwarding that you may have used in the past.

The activities around OpenFlow

Even though OpenFlow has received a lot of industry attention, programmable networks and decoupled control planes (control logic) from data planes have been around for many years. To enhance ATM, Internet, and mobile networks’ openness, extensibility, and programmability, the Open Signaling (OPENING) working group held workshops in 1995. A working group within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) developed GSMP to control label switches based on these ideas. June 2002 marked the official end of this group, and GSMPv3 was published.

Data and control plane

Therefore, SDN separates the data and control plane. The main driving body behind software-defined networking (SDN) is the Open Networking Foundation ( ONF ). Introduced in 2008, the ONF is a non-profit organization that wants to provide an alternative to proprietary solutions that limit flexibility and create vendor lock-in.

The insertion of the ONF allowed its members to run proof of concepts on heterogeneous networking devices without requiring vendors to expose their software’s internal code. This creates a path for an open-source approach to networking and policy-based controllers.

Building blocks: SDN Environment

As a fundamental building block of an SDN deployment, the controller, the SDN switch (for example, an OpenFlow switch), and the interfaces are present in the controller to communicate with forwarding devices, generally the southbound interface (OpenFlow) and the northbound interface (the network application interface). In an SDN, switches function as basic forwarding hardware, accessible via an open interface, with the control logic and algorithms offloaded to controllers. Hybrid (OpenFlow-enabled) and pure (OpenFlow-only) OpenFlow switches are available.

OpenFlow switches rely entirely on a controller for forwarding decisions, without legacy features or onboard control. Hybrid switches support OpenFlow as well, in addition to traditional operation and protocols. Today, hybrid switches are the most common type of commercial switch. A flow table performs packet lookup and forwarding in an OpenFlow switch.

You may find the following useful for pre-information:

What is OpenFlow?

What is OpenFlow?

OpenFlow was the first protocol of the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) trend and is the only protocol that allows the decoupling of a network device’s control plane from the data plane. In most straightforward terms, the control plane can be thought of as the brains of a network device. On the other hand, the data plane can be considered hardware or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that perform packet forwarding.

Numerous devices also support running OpenFlow in a hybrid mode, meaning OpenFlow can be deployed on a given port, virtual local area network (VLAN), or even within a regular packet-forwarding pipeline such that if there is not a match in the OpenFlow table, then the existing forwarding tables (MAC, Routing, etc.) are used, making it more analogous to Policy Based Routing (PBR).

What is SDN?

Despite various modifications to the underlying architecture and devices (such as switches, routers, and firewalls), traditional network technologies have existed since the inception of networking. Using a similar approach, frames and packets have been forwarded and routed in a limited manner, resulting in low efficiency and high maintenance costs. Consequently, the architecture and operation of networks need to evolve, resulting in SDN.

By enabling network programmability, SDN promises to simplify network control and management and allow innovation in computer networking. Network engineers configure policies to respond to various network events and application scenarios. They can achieve the desired results by manually converting high-level policies into low-level configuration commands.

Often, minimal tools are available to accomplish these very complex tasks. Controlling network performance and tuning network management are challenging and error-prone tasks.

A modern network architecture consists of a control plane, a data plane, and a management plane; the control and data planes are merged into a machine called Inside the Box. To overcome these limitations, programmable networks have emerged.

How OpenFlow Works:

At the core of OpenFlow is the concept of a flow table, which resides in each OpenFlow-enabled switch. The flow table contains match-action rules defining how incoming packets should be processed and forwarded. The centralized controller determines these rules and communicates using the OpenFlow protocol with the switches.

When a packet arrives at an OpenFlow-enabled switch, it is first matched against the rules in the flow table. If a match is found, the corresponding action is executed, including forwarding the packet, dropping it, or sending it to the controller for further processing. This decoupling of the control and data planes allows for flexible and programmable network management.

What is OpenFlow SDN?

The main goal of SDN is to separate the control and data planes and transfer network intelligence and state to the control plane. These concepts have been exploited by technologies like Routing Control Platform (RCP), Secure Architecture for Network Enterprise (SANE), and, more recently, Ethane.

In addition, there is often a connection between SDN and OpenFlow. The Open Networking Foundation (ONF) is responsible for advancing SDN and standardizing OpenFlow, whose latest version is 1.5.0.

An SDN deployment starts with these building blocks.

For communication with forwarding devices, the controller has the SDN switch (for example, an OpenFlow switch), the SDN controller, and the interfaces. An SDN deployment is based on two basic building blocks: a southbound interface (OpenFlow) and a northbound interface (the network application interface).

As the control logic and algorithms are offloaded to a controller, switches in SDNs may be represented as basic forwarding hardware. Switches that support OpenFlow come in two varieties: pure (OpenFlow-only) and hybrid (OpenFlow-enabled).

Pure OpenFlow switches do not have legacy features or onboard control for forwarding decisions. A hybrid switch can operate with both traditional protocols and OpenFlow. Hybrid switches make up the majority of commercial switches available today. In an OpenFlow switch, a flow table performs packet lookup and forwarding.

OpenFlow reference switch

The OpenFlow protocol and interface allow OpenFlow switches to be accessed as essential forwarding elements. A flow-based SDN architecture like OpenFlow simplifies switching hardware. Still, it may require additional forwarding tables, buffer space, and statistical counters that are difficult to implement in traditional switches with integrated circuits tailored to specific applications.

There are two types of switches in an OpenFlow network: hybrids (which enable OpenFlow) and pores (which only support OpenFlow). OpenFlow is supported by hybrid switches and traditional protocols (L2/L3). OpenFlow switches rely entirely on a controller for forwarding decisions and do not have legacy features or onboard control.

Hybrid switches are the majority of the switches currently available on the market. This link must remain active and secure because OpenFlow switches are controlled over an open interface (through a TCP-based TLS session). OpenFlow is a messaging protocol that defines communication between OpenFlow switches and controllers, which can be viewed as an implementation of SDN-based controller-switch interactions.

Openflow switch — Diagram: OpenFlow switch. The source is cable solution.

Identify the Benefits of OpenFlow

Application-driven routing. Users can control the network paths.	The networks paths.A way to enhance link utilization.
An open solution for VM mobility. No VLAN reliability.	A means to traffic engineer without MPLS.
A solution to build very large Layer 2 networks.	A way to scale Firewalls and Load Balancers.
A way to configure an entire network as a whole as opposed to individual entities.	A way to build your own encryption solution. Off-the-box encryption.
A way to distribute policies from a central controller.	Customized flow forwarding. Based on a variety of bit patterns.
A solution to get a global view of the network and its state. End-to-end visibility.	A solution to use commodity switches in the network. Massive cost savings.

The following table lists the Software Networking ( SDN ) benefits and the problems encountered with existing control plane architecture:

Identify the benefits of OpenFlow and SDN	Problems with the existing approach
Faster software deployment.	Large scale provisioning and orchestration.
Programmable network elements.	Limited traffic engineering ( MPLS TE is cumbersome )
Faster provisioning.	Synchronized distribution policies.
Centralized intelligence with centralized controllers.	Routing of large elephant flows.
Decisions are based on end-to-end visibility.	Qos and load based forwarding models.
Granular control of flows.	Ability to scale with VLANs.
Decreases the dependence on network appliances like load balancers.

A key point: The lack of a session layer in the TCP/IP stack.

Regardless of the hype and benefits of SDN, neither OpenFlow nor other SDN technologies address the real problems of the lack of a session layer in the TCP/IP protocol stack. The problem is that the client’s application ( Layer 7 ) connects to the server’s IP address ( Layer 3 ), and if you want to have persistent sessions, the server’s IP address must remain reachable.

This session’s persistence and the ability to connect to multiple Layer 3 addresses to reach the same device is the job of the OSI session layer. The session layer provides the services for opening, closing, and managing a session between end-user applications. In addition, it allows information from different sources to be correctly combined and synchronized.

The problem is the TCP/IP reference module does not consider a session layer, and there is none in the TCP/IP protocol stack. SDN does not solve this; it gives you different tools to implement today’s kludges.

Control and data plane

When we identify the benefits of OpenFlow, let us first examine traditional networking operations. Traditional networking devices have a control and forwarding plane, depicted in the diagram below. The control plane is responsible for setting up the necessary protocols and controls so the data plane can forward packets, resulting in end-to-end connectivity. These roles are shared on a single device, and the fast packet forwarding ( data path ) and the high-level routing decisions ( control path ) occur on the same device.

What is OpenFlow | SDN separates the data and control plane

Control plane

The control plane is part of the router architecture and is responsible for drawing the network map in routing. When we mention control planes, you usually think about routing protocols, such as OSPF or BGP. But in reality, the control plane protocols perform numerous other functions, including:

Connectivity management ( BFD, CFM )	Interface state management ( PPP, LACP )
Service provisioning ( RSVP for InServ or MPLS TE)	Topology and reachability information exchange ( IP routing protocols, IS-IS in TRILL/SPB )
Adjacent device discovery via HELLO mechanism	ICMP

Control plane protocols run over data plane interfaces to ensure “shared fate” – if the packet forwarding fails, the control plane protocol fails as well.

Most control plane protocols ( BGP, OSPF, BFD ) are not data-driven. A BGP or BFD packet is never sent as a direct response to a data packet. There is a question mark over the validity of ICMP as a control plane protocol. The debate is whether it should be classed in the control or data plane category.

Some ICMP packets are sent as replies to other ICMP packets, and others are triggered by data plane packets, i.e., data-driven. My view is that ICMP is a control plane protocol that is triggered by data plane activity. After all, the “C” is ICMP does stand for “Control.”

Data plane

The data path is part of the routing architecture that decides what to do when a packet is received on its inbound interface. It is primarily focused on forwarding packets but also includes the following functions:

ACL logging	Netflow accounting
NAT session creation	NAT table maintenance

The data forwarding is usually performed in dedicated hardware, while the additional functions ( ACL logging, Netflow accounting ) typically happen on the device CPU, commonly known as “punting.” The data plane for an OpenFlow-enabled network can take a few forms.

However, the most common, even in the commercial offering, is the Open vSwitch, often called the OVS. The Open vSwitch is an open-source implementation of a distributed virtual multilayer switch. It enables a switching stack for virtualization environments while supporting multiple protocols and standards.

Software-defined networking changes the control and data plane architecture.

The concept of SDN separates these two planes, i.e., the control and forwarding planes are decoupled. This allows the networking devices in the forwarding path to focus solely on packet forwarding. An out-of-band network uses a separate controller ( orchestration system ) to set up the policies and controls. Hence, the forwarding plane has the correct information to forward packets efficiently.

In addition, it allows the network control plane to be moved to a centralized controller on a server instead of residing on the same box carrying out the forwarding. Moving the intelligence ( control plane ) of the data plane network devices to a controller enables companies to use low-cost, commodity hardware in the forwarding path. A significant benefit is that SDN separates the data and control plane, enabling new use cases.

A centralized computation and management plane makes more sense than a centralized control plane.

The controller maintains a view of the entire network and communicates with Openflow ( or, in some cases, BGP with BGP SDN ) with the different types of OpenFlow-enabled network boxes. The data path portion remains on the switch, such as the OVS bridge, while the high-level decisions are moved to a separate controller. The data path presents a clean flow table abstraction, and each flow table entry contains a set of packet fields to match, resulting in specific actions ( drop, redirect, send-out-port ).

When an OpenFlow switch receives a packet it has never seen before and doesn’t have a matching flow entry, it sends the packet to the controller for processing. The controller then decides what to do with the packet.

Applications could then be developed on top of this controller, performing security scrubbing, load balancing, traffic engineering, or customized packet forwarding. The centralized view of the network simplifies problems that were harder to overcome with traditional control plane protocols.

A single controller could potentially manage all OpenFlow-enabled switches. Instead of individually configuring each switch, the controller can push down policies to multiple switches simultaneously—a compelling example of many-to-one virtualization.

Now that SDN separates the data and control plane, the operator uses the centralized controller to choose the correct forwarding information per-flow basis. This allows better load balancing and traffic separation on the data plane. In addition, there is no need to enforce traffic separation based on VLANs, as the controller would have a set of policies and rules that would only allow traffic from one “VLAN” to be forwarded to other devices within that same “VLAN.”

The advent of VXLAN

With the advent of VXLAN, which allows up to 16 million logical entities, the benefits of SDN should not be purely associated with overcoming VLAN scaling issues. VXLAN already does an excellent job with this. It does make sense to deploy a centralized control plane in smaller independent islands; in my view, it should be at the edge of the network for security and policy enforcement roles. Using Openflow on one or more remote devices is easy to implement and scale.

It also decreases the impact of controller failure. If a controller fails and its sole job is implementing packet filters when a new user connects to the network, the only affecting element is that the new user cannot connect. If the controller is responsible for core changes, you may have interesting results with a failure. New users not being able to connect is bad, but losing your entire fabric is not as bad.

Spanning tree VXLAN — Diagram: Loop prevention. Source is Cisco

A traditional networking device runs all the control and data plane functions. The control plane, usually implemented in the central CPU or the supervisor module, downloads the forwarding instructions into the data plane structures. Every vendor needs communications protocols to bind the two planes together to download forward instructions.

Therefore, all distributed architects need a protocol between control and data plane elements. The protocol binding this communication path for traditional vendor devices is not open-source, and every vendor uses its proprietary protocol (Cisco uses IPC—InterProcess Communication ).

Openflow tries to define a standard protocol between the control plane and the associated data plane. When you think of Openflow, you should relate it to the communication protocol between the traditional supervisors and the line cards. OpenFlow is just a low-level tool.

OpenFlow is a control plane ( controller ) to data plane ( OpenFlow enabled device ) protocol that allows the control plane to modify forwarding entries in the data plane. It enables SDN to separate the data and control planes.

Proactive versus reactive flow setup

OpenFlow operations have two types of flow setups: Proactive and Reactive.

With Proactive, the controller can populate the flow tables ahead of time, similar to a typical routing. However, the packet-in event never occurs by pre-defining your flows and actions ahead of time in the switch’s flow tables. The result is all packets are forwarded at line rate. With Reactive, the network devices react to traffic, consult the OpenFlow controller, and create a rule in the flow table based on the instruction. The problem with this approach is that there can be many CPU hits.

The following table outlines the critical points for each type of flow setup:

Proactive flow setup	Reactive flow setup
Works well when the controller is emulating BGP or OSPF.	Used when no one can predict when and where a new MAC address will appear.
The controller must first discover the entire topology.	Punts unknown packets to the controller. Many CPU hits.
Discover endpoints ( MAC addresses, IP addresses, and IP subnets )	Compute forwarding paths on demand. Not off the box computation.
Compute off the box optimal forwarding.	Install flow entries based on actual traffic.
Download flow entries to the data plane switches.	Has many scalability concerns such as packet punting rate.
No data plane controller involvement with the exceptions of ARP and MAC learning. Line-rate performance.	Not a recommended setup.

Hop-by-hop versus path-based forwarding

The following table illustrates the key points for the two types of forwarding methods used by OpenFlow: hop-by-hop forwarding and path-based forwarding:

Hop-by-hop Forwarding	Path-based Forwarding
Similar to traditional IP Forwarding.	Similar to MPLS.
Installs identical flows on each switch on the data path.	Map flows to paths on ingress switches and assigns user traffic to paths at the edge node
Scalability concerns relating to flow updates after a change in topology.	Compute paths across the network and installs end-to-end path-forwarding entries.
Significant overhead in large-scale networks.	Works better than hop-by-hop forwarding in large-scale networks.
FIB update challenges. Convergence time.	Core switches don’t have to support the same granular functionality as edge switches.

Obviously, with any controller, the controller is a lucrative target for attack. Anyone who knows you are using a controller-based network will try to attack the controller and its control plane. The attacker may attempt to intercept the controller-to-switch communication and replace it with its commands, essentially attacking the control plane with whatever means they like.

An attacker may also try to insert a malformed packet or some other type of unknown packet into the controller ( fuzzing attack ), exploiting bugs in the controller and causing the controller to crash.

Fuzzing attacks can be carried out with application scanning software such as Burp Suite. It attempts to manipulate data in a particular way, breaking the application.

The best way to tighten security is to encrypt switch-to-controller communications with SSL and self-signed certificates to authenticate the switch and controller. It would also be best to minimize interaction with the data plane, except for ARP and MAC learning.

To prevent denial-of-service attacks on the controller, you can use Control Plane Policing ( CoPP ) on Ingress to avoid overloading the switch and the controller. Currently, NEC is the only vendor implementing CoPP.

The Hybrid deployment model is helpful from a security perspective. For example, you can group specific ports or VLANs to OpenFlow and other ports or VLANs to traditional forwarding, then use traditional forwarding to communicate with the OpenFlow controller.

Software-defined networking or traditional routing protocols?

The move to a Software-Defined Networking architecture has clear advantages. It’s agile and can react quickly to business needs, such as new product development. For businesses to succeed, they must have software that continues evolving.

Otherwise, your customers and staff may lose interest in your product and service. The following table displays the advantages and disadvantages of the existing routing protocol control architecture.

+Reliable and well known.	-Non-standard Forwarding models. Destination-only and not load-aware metrics**
+Proven with 20 plus years field experience.	-Loosely coupled.
+Deterministic and predictable.	-Lacks end-to-end transactional consistency and visibility.
+Self-Healing. Traffic can reroute around a failed node or link.	-Limited Topology discovery and extraction. Basic neighbor and topology tables.
+Autonomous.	-Lacks the ability to change existing control plane protocol behavior.
+Scalable.	-Lacks the ability to introduce new control plane protocols.
+Plenty of learning and reading materials.

** Basic EIGRP IETF originally proposed an Energy-Aware Control Plane, but the IETF later removed this.

Software-Defined Networking: Use Cases

Edge Security policy enforcement at the network edge.	Authenticate users or VMs and deploy per-user ACL before connecting a user to the network.
Custom routing and online TE.	The ability to route on a variety of business metrics aka routing for dollars. Allowing you to override the default routing behavior.
Custom traffic processing.	For analytics and encryption.
Programmable SPAN ports	Use Openflow entries to mirror selected traffic to the SPAN port.
DoS traffic blackholing & distributed DoS prevention.	Block DoS traffic as close to the source as possible with more selective traffic targeting than the original RTBH approach**. The traffic blocking is implemented in OpenFlow switches. Higher performance with significantly lower costs.
Traffic redirection and service insertion.	Redirect a subset of traffic to network appliances and install redirection flow entries wherever needed.
Network Monitoring.	The controller is the authoritative source of information on network topology and Forwarding paths.
Scale-Out Load Balancing.	Punt new flows to the Openflow controller and install per-session entries throughout the network.
IPS Scale-Out.	OpenFlow is used to distribute the load to multiple IDS appliances.

**Remote-Triggered Black Hole: RTBH refers to installing a host route to a bogus IP address ( RTBH address ) pointing to NULL interfaces on all routers. BGP is used to advertise the host routes to other BGP peers of the attacked hosts, with the next hop pointing to the RTBH address, and it is mainly automated in ISP environments.

SDN deployment models

Guidelines:

Start with small deployments away from the mission-critical production path, i.e., the Core. Ideally, start with device or service provisioning systems.
Start at the Edge and slowly integrate with the Core. Minimize the risk and blast radius. Start with packet filters at the Edge and tasks that can be easily automated ( VLANs ).
Integrate new technology with the existing network.
Gradually increase scale and gain trust. Experience is key.
Have the controller in a protected out-of-band network with SSL connectivity to the switches.

There are 4 different models for OpenFlow deployment, and the following sections list the key points of each model.

Native OpenFlow

They are commonly used for Greenfield deployments.
The controller performs all the intelligent functions.
The forwarding plane switches have little intelligence and solely perform packet forwarding.
The white box switches need IP connectivity to the controller for the OpenFlow control sessions. If you are forced to use an in-band network for this communication path using an isolated VLAN with STP, you should use an out-of-band network.
Fast convergence techniques such as BFD may be challenging to use with a central controller.
Many people believe that this approach does not work for a regular company. Companies implementing native OpenFlow, such as Google, have the time and resources to reinvent the wheel when implementing a new control-plane protocol ( OpenFlow ).

Native OpenFlow with Extensions

Some control plane functions are handled from the centralized controller to the forwarding plane switches. For example, the OpenFlow-enabled switches could load balancing across multiple links without the controller’s previous decision. You could also run STP, LACP, or ARP locally on the switch without interaction with the controller. This approach is helpful if you lose connectivity to the controller. If the low-level switches perform certain controller functions, packet forwarding will continue in the event of failure.
The local switches should support the specific OpenFlow extensions that let them perform functions on the controller’s behalf.

Hybrid ( Ships in the night )

This approach is used where OpenFlow runs in parallel with the production network.
The same network box is controlled by existing on-box and off-box control planes ( OpenFlow).
Suitable for pilot deployment models as switches still run traditional control plane protocols.
The Openflow controller manages only specific VLANs or ports on the network.
The big challenge is determining and investigating the conflict-free sharing of forwarding plane resources across multiple control planes.

Integrated OpenFlow

OpenFlow classifiers and forwarding entries are integrated with the existing control plane. For example, Juniper’s OpenFlow model follows this mode of operation where OpenFlow static routes can be redistributed into the other routing protocols.
No need for a new control plane.
No need to replace all forwarding hardware
It is the most practical approach as long as the vendor supports it.

Closing Points on OpenFlow

Advantages of OpenFlow:

OpenFlow brings several critical advantages to network management and control:

1. Flexibility and Programmability: With OpenFlow, network administrators can dynamically reconfigure the behavior of network devices, allowing for greater adaptability to changing network requirements.

2. Centralized Control: By centralizing control in a single controller, network administrators gain a holistic view of the network, simplifying management and troubleshooting processes.

3. Innovation and Experimentation: OpenFlow enables researchers and developers to experiment with new network protocols and applications, fostering innovation in the networking industry.

4. Scalability: OpenFlow’s centralized control architecture provides the scalability needed to manage large-scale networks efficiently.

Implications for Network Control:

OpenFlow has significant implications for network control, paving the way for new possibilities in network management:

1. Software-Defined Networking (SDN): OpenFlow is a critical component of the broader concept of SDN, which aims to decouple network control from the underlying hardware, providing a more flexible and programmable infrastructure.

2. Network Virtualization: OpenFlow facilitates network virtualization, allowing multiple virtual networks to coexist on a single physical infrastructure.

3. Traffic Engineering: By controlling the flow of packets at a granular level, OpenFlow enables advanced traffic engineering techniques, optimizing network performance and resource utilization.

Conclusion:

OpenFlow represents a paradigm shift in network control, offering a more flexible, scalable, and programmable approach to managing networks. By separating the control and data planes, OpenFlow empowers network administrators to have fine-grained control over network behavior, improving efficiency, innovation, and adaptability. As the networking industry continues to evolve, OpenFlow and its related technologies will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of network management.

Summary: What is OpenFlow?

In the rapidly evolving world of networking, OpenFlow has emerged as a game-changer. This revolutionary technology has transformed the way networks are managed, offering unprecedented flexibility, control, and efficiency. In this blog post, we will delve into the depths of OpenFlow, exploring its definition, key features, and benefits.

What is OpenFlow?

OpenFlow can be best described as an open standard communications protocol that enables the separation of the control plane and the data plane in network devices. It allows centralized control over a network’s forwarding elements, making it possible to program and manage network traffic dynamically. By decoupling the intelligence of the network from the underlying hardware, OpenFlow provides a flexible and programmable infrastructure for network administrators.

Key Features of OpenFlow

a) Centralized Control: One of the core features of OpenFlow is its ability to centralize network control, allowing administrators to define and implement policies from a single point of control. This centralized control improves network visibility and simplifies management tasks.

b) Programmability: OpenFlow’s programmability empowers network administrators to define how network traffic should be handled based on their specific requirements. Through the use of flow tables and match-action rules, administrators can dynamically control the behavior of network switches and routers.

c) Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Integration: OpenFlow plays a crucial role in the broader concept of Software-Defined Networking. It provides a standardized interface for SDN controllers to communicate with network devices, enabling dynamic and automated network provisioning.

Benefits of OpenFlow

a) Enhanced Network Flexibility: With OpenFlow, network administrators can easily adapt and customize their networks to suit evolving business needs. The ability to modify network behavior on the fly allows for efficient resource allocation and improved network performance.

b) Simplified Network Management: By centralizing network control, OpenFlow simplifies the management of complex network architectures. Policies and configurations can be applied uniformly across the network, reducing administrative overhead and minimizing the chances of configuration errors.

c) Innovation and Experimentation: OpenFlow fosters innovation by providing a platform for the development and deployment of new network protocols and applications. Researchers and developers can experiment with novel networking concepts, paving the way for future advancements in the field.

Conclusion:

OpenFlow has ushered in a new era of network management, offering unparalleled flexibility and control. Its ability to separate the control plane from the data plane, coupled with centralized control and programmability, has opened up endless possibilities in network architecture design. As organizations strive for more agile and efficient networks, embracing OpenFlow and its associated technologies will undoubtedly be a wise choice.

Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

September 11, 2014

by Matt Conran Blog

Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

Virtualization has become integral to modern data centers in today's digital landscape. With the increasing demand for agility, flexibility, and scalability, organizations are turning to virtual networking solutions to meet their evolving needs. One such solution is the Nexus 1000v, a virtual network switch offering comprehensive features and functionalities. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of the Nexus 1000v, exploring its key features, benefits, and use cases.

The Nexus 1000v is a distributed virtual switch that operates at the hypervisor level, providing advanced networking capabilities for virtual machines (VMs). It is designed to integrate seamlessly with VMware vSphere, offering enhanced network visibility, control, and security.

Cisco Switch Virtualization is a revolutionary concept that allows network administrators to create multiple virtual switches on a single physical switch. By abstracting the network functions from the hardware, it provides enhanced flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. With Cisco Switch Virtualization, businesses can maximize resource utilization and simplify network management.

At the forefront of Cisco's Switch Virtualization portfolio is the Nexus 1000v. This powerful platform brings the benefits of virtualization to the data center, enabling seamless integration between virtual and physical networks. By extending Cisco's renowned networking capabilities into the virtual environment, Nexus 1000v empowers organizations to achieve consistent policy enforcement, enhanced security, and simplified operations.

The Nexus 1000v boasts a wide range of features that make it a compelling choice for network administrators. From advanced network segmentation and traffic isolation to granular policy control and deep visibility, this platform has it all. By leveraging the power of Cisco's Virtual Network Services (VNS), organizations can optimize their network infrastructure, streamline operations, and deliver superior performance.

Deploying Cisco Switch Virtualization, specifically the Nexus 1000v, requires careful planning and consideration. Organizations must evaluate their network requirements, ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure, and adhere to best practices. From designing a scalable architecture to implementing proper security measures, attention to detail is crucial to achieve a successful deployment.

To truly understand the impact of Cisco Switch Virtualization, it's essential to explore real-world use cases and success stories. From large enterprises to service providers, organizations across various industries have leveraged the power of Nexus 1000v to transform their networks. This section will highlight a few compelling examples, showcasing the versatility and value that Cisco Switch Virtualization brings to the table.

Matt Conran

Highlights: Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

Hypervisor and vSphere Introduction

An operating system can run multiple operating systems on a single hardware host using a hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine manager. Operating systems use the host’s processor, memory, and other resources. Hypervisors control the host processor, memory, and other resources and allocate what each operating system needs. Hypervisors run guest operating systems or virtual machines on top of them.

Designed specifically for integration with VMware vSphere environments, the Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Switch runs Cisco NX-OS software. Enterprise-class performance, scalability, and scalability are delivered by VMware vSphere 2.0 across multiple platforms. Within the VMware ESX hypervisor, the Nexus 1000V runs. With the Cisco Nexus 1000V Series, you can take advantage of Cisco VN-Link server virtualization technology

• Policy-based virtual machine (VM) connectivity

• Mobile VM security

• Network policy

• Nondisruptive operational model for your server virtualization and networking teams

As with physical servers, virtual servers can be configured with the same network configuration, security policy, diagnostic tools, and operational models as physical servers. The Cisco Nexus 1000V Series is also compatible with VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESX, and ESXi.

A brief overview of the Nexus 1000V system

There are two primary components of the Cisco Nexus 1000V Series switch:

VEM (Virtual Ethernet Module): Executes inside hypervisors

VSM (External Virtual Supervisor Module): Manages VEMs

Nexus 1000v implements a generic concept of Cisco Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS). VMware ESX or ESXi executes the Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM). The VEM’s application programming interface (API) is VMware vNetwork Distributed Switch (vDS). By integrating the API with VMware VMotion and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), advanced networking capabilities can be provided to virtual machines. In the VEM, Layer 2 switching and advanced networking functions are performed based on configuration information from the VSM:

Virtual routing and forwarding

Virtual routing and forwarding form the basis of this stack. Firstly, network virtualization comes with two primary methods: 1) One too many and 2) Many to one. The “one too many” network virtualization method means you segment one physical network into multiple logical segments. Conversely, the “many to one” network virtualization method consolidates numerous physical devices into one logical entity. By definition, they seem to be opposites, but they fall under the same umbrella in network virtualization.

Before you proceed, you may find the following posts helpful:

Cisco Switch Virtualization. Key Nexus 1000v Discussion Points:	Introduction to Nexus1000v and what is involved. Highlighting the details on Cisco switch virtualization. Logical separation. Technical details on the additional overhead from virtualization. Scenario: Network virtualization. A final note on software virtual switch designs.

Back to basics with network virtualization

Before we get stuck in Cisco virtualization, let us address some basics. For example, if you have multiple virtual endpoints share a physical network. Still, different virtual endpoints belong to various customers, and the communication between these endpoints also needs to be isolated. In other words, the network is a resource, too, and network virtualization is the technology that enables the sharing of a standard physical network infrastructure.

Virtualization uses software to simulate traditional hardware platforms and create virtual software-based systems. For example, virtualization allows specialists to construct a single virtual network or partition a physical network into multiple virtual networks.

Cisco Switch Virtualization: Logical segmentation: One too many

We have one-to-many network virtualization for the Cisco switch virtualization design; a single physical network is logically segmented into multiple virtual networks. For example, each virtual network could correspond to a user group or a specific security function.

End-to-end path isolation requires the virtualization of networking devices and their interconnecting links. VLANs have been traditionally used, and hosts from one user group are mapped to a single VLAN. To extend the path across multiple switches at Layer 2, VLAN tagging (802.1Q) can carry VLAN information between switches. These VLAN trunks were created to transport multiple VLANs over a single Ethernet interface.

The diagram below displays two independent VLANs, VLAN201 and VLAN101. These VLANs can share one physical wire to provide L2 reachability between hosts connected to Switch B and Switch A via Switch C, but they remain separate entities.

VLANs are sufficient for small Layer 2 segments. However, today’s networks will likely have a mix of Layer 2 and 3 routed networks. In this case, Layer 2 VLANs alone are insufficient because you must extend the Layer 2 isolation over a Layer 3 device. This can be achieved by using Virtual Routing and Forwarding ( VRF ), the next step in the Cisco switch virtualization. A virtual routing and forwarding instance logically carves a Layer 3 device into several isolated independent L3 devices. The virtual routing and forwarding configured locally cannot communicate directly.

The diagram below displays one physical Layer 3 router with three VRFs: VRF Yellow, VRF Red, and VRF Blue. These virtual routing and forwarding instances are completely separated; without explicit configuration, routes in one virtual routing and forwarding instance cannot be leaked to another.

Virtual Routing and Forwarding

The virtualization of the interconnecting links depends on how the virtual routers are connected. If they are physically ( directly ) connected, you could use a technology known as VRF-lite to separate traffic and 802.1Q to label the data plane. This is known as hop-by-hop virtualization. However, it’s possible to run into scalability issues when the number of devices grows. This design is typically used when you connect virtual routing and forwarding back to back, i.e., no more than two devices.

When the virtual routers are connected over multiple hops through an IP cloud, you can use generic routing encapsulation ( GRE ) or Multiprotocol Label Switching ( MPLS ) virtual private networks.

GRE is probably the simpler of the Layer 3 methods, and it can work over any IP core. GRE can encapsulate the contents and transport them over a network with the network unaware of the packet contents. Instead, the core will see the GRE header, virtualizing the network path.

Cisco Switch Virtualization: The additional overhead

When designing Cisco switch virtualization, you need to consider the additional overhead. There are a further 24 bytes overhead for the GRE header, so it may be the case that the forwarding router may break the datagram into two fragments, so the packet may not be larger than the outgoing interface MTU. To resolve the fragmentation issue, you can correctly configure MTU, MSS, and Path MTU parameters on the outgoing and intermediate routers.

The GRE standard is typically static. You only need to configure tunnel endpoints, and the tunnel will be up as long as you can reach those endpoints. However, recent designs can establish a dynamic GRE tunnel.

MPLS/VPN, on the other hand, is a different beast. It requires signaling to distribute labels and build an end-to-end Label Switched Path ( LSP ). The label distribution can be done with BGP+label, LDP, and RSVP. Unlike GRE tunnels, MPLS VPNs do not have to manage multiple point-to-point tunnels to provide a full mesh of connectivity. Instead, they are used for connectivity, and packets’ labels provide traffic separation.

Cisco switch virtualization: Many to one

Many-to-one network consolidation refers to grouping two or more physical devices into one. Examples of this Cisco switch virtualization technology include a Virtual Switching System ( VSS ), Stackable switches, and Nexus VPC. Combining many physicals into one logical entity allows STP to view the logical group as one, allowing all ports to be active. By default, STP will block the redundant path.

Software-defined networking takes this concept further; it completely abstracts the entire network into a single virtual switch. The control and data planes are on the same device on traditional routers, yet they are decoupled with SDN. The control plan is now on a policy-driven controller, and the data plane is local on the OpenFlow-enabled switch.

Network Virtualization

Server and network virtualization presented the challenge of multiple VMs sharing a single network physical port, such as a network interface controller ( NIC ). The question then arises: how do I link multiple VMs to the same uplink? How do I provide path separation? Today’s networks need to virtualize the physical port and allow the configuration of policies per port.

NIC-per-VM design

One way to do this is to have a NIC-per-VM design where each VM is assigned a single physical NIC, and the NIC is not shared with any other VM. The hypervisor, aka virtualization layer, would be bypassed, and the VM would access the I/O device directly. This is known as VMDirectPath. This direct path or pass-through can improve performance for hosts that utilize high-speed I/O devices, such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet. However, the lack of flexibility and the ability to move VMs offset higher performance benefits.

Virtual-NIC-per-VM in Cisco UCS (Adapter FEX)

Another way to do this is to create multiple logical NICs on the same physical NIC, such as Virtual-NIC-per-VM in Cisco UCS (Adapter FEX). These logical NICs are assigned directly to VMs, and traffic gets marked with a vNIC-specific tag on the hardware (VN-Tag/802.1ah). The actual VN-Tag tagging is implemented in the server NICs so that you can clone the physical NIC in the server to multiple virtual NICs. This technology provides faster switching and enables you to apply a rich set of management features to local and remote traffic.

Software Virtual Switch

The third option is to implement a virtual software switch in the hypervisor. For example, VMware introduced virtual switching compatibility with its vSphere ( ESXi ) hypervisor, called vSphere Distributed Switch ( VDS ). Initially, they introduced a local L2 software switch, which was soon phased out due to a lack of distributed architecture.

Data physically moves between the servers through the external network, but the control plane abstracts this movement to look like one large distributed switch spanning multiple servers. This approach has a single management and configuration point, similar to stackable switches – one control plane with many physical data forwarding paths. The data does not move through a parent partition but logically connects directly to the network interface through local vNICs associated with each VM.

Network virtualization and Nexus 1000v ( Nexus 1000 )

The VDS introduced by VMware lacked any good networking features, which led Cisco to introduce the Nexus 1000V software-based switch. The Nexus 1000v is a multi-cloud, multi-hypervisor, and multi-services distributed virtual switch. Its function is to enable communication between VMs.

Nexus 1000 components: VEM and VSM

The Nexus 1000v has two essential components:

The Virtual Supervisor Module ( VSM )
The Virtual Ethernet Module ( VEM ).

Compared to a physical switch, the VSM could be viewed as the supervisor, setting up the control plane functions for the data plane to forward efficiently, and the VEM as the physical line cards that do all the packet forwarding. The VEM is the software component that runs within the hypervisor kernel. It handles all VM traffic, including inter-VM frames and Ethernet traffic between a VM and external resources.

The VSM runs its NX-OS code and controls the control and management planes, which integrate into a cloud manager, such as a VMware vCenter. You can have two VSMs for redundancy. Both modules remain constantly synchronized with unicast VSM-to-VSM heartbeats to provide stateful failover in the event of an active VSM failure.

The two available communication options for VSM to VEM are:

Layer 2 control mode: The VSM control interface shares the same VLAN with the VEM.
Layer 3 control mode: The VEM and the VSM are in different IP subnets.

The VSM also uses heartbeat messages to detect a loss of connectivity between it and the VEM. However, the VEM does not depend on connectivity to the VSM to perform its data plane functions and will continue forwarding packets if the VSM fails.

With Layer 3 control mode, the heartbeat messages are encapsulated in a GRE envelope.

Nexus 1000 and VSM best practices

L2 control is recommended for new installations.
Use MAC pinning instead of LACP.
Packet, Control, and Management in the same VLAN.
Do not use VLAN 1 for Control and Packet.
Use 2 x VSM for redundancy.

The max latency between VSM and VEM is ten milliseconds. Therefore, a VSM can be placed outside the data center if you have a high-quality DCI link, and the VEM can still be controlled.

Nexus 1000v InterCloud – Cisco switch virtualization

A vital element of the Nexus 1000 is its use case for hybrid cloud deployments and its ability to place workloads in private and public environments via a single pane of glass. In addition, the Nexus 1000v interCloud addresses the main challenges with hybrid cloud deployments, such as security concerns and control/visibility challenges within the public cloud.

The Nexus 1000 interCloud works with Cisco Prime Service Controller to create a secure L2 extension between the private data center and the public cloud.

This L2 extension is based on Datagram Transport Layer Security ( DTLS ) protocol and allows you to securely transfer VMs and Network services over a public IP backbone. DTLS derives the SSL protocol and provides communications privacy for datagram protocols, so all data in motion is cryptographically isolated and encrypted.

Nexus 1000v Hybrid Cloud Components

Cisco Prime Network Service Controller for InterCloud **	A VM that provides a single pane of glass to manage all functions of the inter clouds
InterCloud VSM	Manage port profiles for VMs in the InterCloud infrastructure
InterCloud Extender	Provides secure connectivity to the InterCloud Switch in the provider cloud. Install in the private data center.
InterCloud Switch	Virtual Machine in the provider data center has secure connectivity to the InterCloud Extender in the enterprise cloud and secure connectivity to the Virtual Machines in the provider cloud.
Cloud Virtual Machines	VMs in the public cloud running workloads.

Prerequisites

Port 80	HTTP access from PNSC for AWS calls and communicating with InterCloud VMs in the provider cloud
Port 443	HTTPS access from PNSC for AWS calls and communicating with InterCloud VMs in the provider cloud
Port 22	SSH from PNSC to InterCloud VMs in the provider cloud
UDP 6644	DTLS data tunnel
TCP 6644	DTLS control tunnel

VXLAN – Virtual Extensible LAN

The requirement for applications on demand has led to an increased number of required VLANs for cloud providers. The standard 12-bit identifier, which provided 4000 VLANs, proved to be a limiting factor in multi-tier, multi-tenant environments, and engineers started to run out of isolation options.

This has introduced a 24-bit VXLAN identifier, offering 16 million logical networks. Now, we can cross Layer 3 boundaries. The MAC in UDP encapsulation uses switch hashing to analyze UDP packets and efficiently distribute all packets in a port channel.

VXLAN works like a layer 2 bridge ( Flood and Learn ); the VEM learn does all the heavy lifting, learns all the VM source MAC and Host VXLAN IPs, and encapsulates the traffic according to the port profile to which the VM belongs. Broadcast, Multicast, and unknown unicast traffic are sent as Multicast.

At the same time, unicast traffic is encapsulated and shipped directly to the destination host’s VXLAN IP, aka destination VEM. Enhanced VXLAN offers VXLAN MAC distribution and ARP termination, making it more optional.

VXLAN Mode Packet Functions

Packet	VXLAN(multicast mode)	Enhanced VXLAN(unicast mode)	Enhanced VXLANMAC Distribution	Enhanced VXLANARP Termination
Broadcast /Multicast	Multicast Encapsulation	Replication plus Unicast Encap	Replication plus Unicast Encap	Replication plus Unicast Encap
Unknown Unicast	Multicast Encapsulation	Replication plus Unicast Encap	Drop	Drop
Known Unicast	Unicast Encapsulation	Unicast Encap	Unicast Encap	Unicast Encap
ARP	Multicast Encapsulation	Replication plus Unicast Encap	Replication plus Unicast Encap	VEM ARP Reply

vPath – Service chaining

Intelligent Policy-based traffic steering through multiple network services.

vPath allows you to intelligently traffic steer VM traffic to virtualized devices. It intercepts and redirects the initial traffic to the service node. Once the service node performs its policy function, the result is cached, and the local virtual switch treats the subsequent packets accordingly. In addition, it enables you to tie services together to push the VM through each service as required. Previously, if you wanted to tie services together in a data center, you needed to stitch the VLANs together, which was limited by design and scale.

Cisco virtualization — Nexus and service chaining

vPath 3.0 is now submitted to the IETF for standardization, allowing service chaining with vPath and non-vpath network services. It enables you to use vpath service chaining between multiple physical devices and supporting multiple hypervisors.

License Options

Nexus 1000 Essential Edition	Nexus 1000 Advanced Edition
Full Layer-2 Feature Set	All Features of Essential Edition
Security, QoS Policies	VSG firewall
VXLAN virtual overlays	VXLAN Gateway
vPath enabled Virtual Services	TrustSec SGA
Full monitoring and management capabilities	A platform for other Cisco DC Extensions in the Future
Free	$695 per CPU MSRP

Nexus 1000 features and benefits

Switching	L2 Switching, 802.1Q Tagging, VLAN, Rate Limiting (TX), VXLAN IGMP Snooping, QoS Marking (COS & DSCP), Class-based WFQ
Security	Policy Mobility, Private VLANs w/ local PVLAN Enforcement Access Control Lists, Port Security, Cisco TrustSec Support Dynamic ARP inspection, IP Source Guard, DHCP Snooping
Network Services	Virtual Services Datapath (vPath) support for traffic steering & fast-path off-load[leveraged by Virtual Security Gateway (VSG), vWAAS, ASA1000V]
Provisioning	Port Profiles, Integration with vC, vCD, SCVMM*, BMC CLM Optimized NIC Teaming with Virtual Port Channel – Host Mode
Visibility	VM Migration Tracking, VC Plugin, NetFlow v.9 w/ NDE, CDP v.2 VM-Level Interface Statistics, vTrackerSPAN & ERSPAN (policy-based)
Management	Virtual Centre VM Provisioning, vCenter Plugin, Cisco LMS, DCNM Cisco CLI, Radius, TACACs, Syslog, SNMP (v.1, 2, 3) Hitless upgrade, SW Installer

Advantages and disadvantages of the Nexus 1000

Advantages	Disadvantages
The Standard edition is FREE; you can upgrade to an enhanced version when needed.	VEM and VSM internal communication is very sensitive to latency. Due to their chatty nature, they may not be good for inter-DC deployments.
Easy and Quick to deploy	VSM – VEM, VSM (active) – VSM (standby) heartbeat time of 6 seconds makes it sensitive to network failures and congestion.
It offers you many rich network features unavailable on other distributed software switches.	VEM over-dependency on VSM reduces resiliency.
Hypervisor agnostic	VSM is required for vSphere HA, FT, and VMotion to work.
Hybrid Cloud functionality

Closing Points on Cisco Nexus 1000v

Key Features and Functionalities:

Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM):

The Nexus 1000v employs the Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM), which runs as a module inside the hypervisor. This allows for efficient and direct communication between VMs, bypassing the traditional reliance on the hypervisor networking stack.

Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM):

The Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) serves as the control plane for the Nexus 1000v, providing centralized management and configuration. It enables network administrators to define policies, manage virtual ports, and monitor network traffic.

Policy-Based Virtual Network Management:

With the Nexus 1000v, administrators can define policies to manage virtual networks. These policies ensure consistent network configurations across multiple hosts, simplifying network management and reducing the risk of misconfigurations.

Advanced Security and Monitoring Capabilities:

The Nexus 1000v offers granular security controls, including access control lists (ACLs), port security, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) snooping. Additionally, it provides comprehensive visibility into network traffic, enabling administrators to monitor and troubleshoot network issues effectively.

Benefits of the Nexus 1000v:

Enhanced Network Performance:

By offloading network processing to the VEM, the Nexus 1000v minimizes the impact on the hypervisor, resulting in improved network performance and reduced latency.

Increased Scalability:

The distributed architecture of the Nexus 1000v allows for seamless scalability, ensuring that organizations can meet the growing demands of their virtualized environments.

Simplified Network Management:

With its policy-based approach, the Nexus 1000v simplifies network management tasks, enabling administrators to provision and manage virtual networks more efficiently.

Use Cases:

Data Centers:

The Nexus 1000v is particularly beneficial in data center environments where virtualization is prevalent. It provides a robust and scalable networking solution, ensuring optimal performance and security for virtualized workloads.

Cloud Service Providers:

Cloud service providers can leverage the Nexus 1000v to enhance their network virtualization capabilities, offering customers more flexibility and control over their virtual networks.

The Nexus 1000v is a powerful virtual network switch that provides advanced networking capabilities for virtualized environments. Its rich features, policy-based management approach, and seamless integration with VMware vSphere allow organizations to achieve enhanced network performance, scalability, and management efficiency. As virtualization continues to shape the future of data centers, the Nexus 1000v remains a valuable tool for optimizing virtual network infrastructures.

Summary: Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

Welcome to our blog post, where we dive into the world of Cisco Switch Virtualization, explicitly focusing on the Nexus 1000v. In this article, we will unravel the complexities surrounding switch virtualization, explore the key features of the Nexus 1000v, and understand its significance in modern networking environments.

Understanding Switch Virtualization

Switch virtualization is a technique that allows for creating multiple virtual switches on a single physical switch, enabling greater flexibility and efficiency in network management. Organizations can consolidate their infrastructure, reduce costs, and streamline network operations by virtualizing switches.

Introducing the Nexus 1000v

The Cisco Nexus 1000v is a powerful switch virtualization solution that extends the functionality of VMware environments. Unlike traditional virtual switches, it provides a more comprehensive set of features and advanced network control. It seamlessly integrates with VMware vSphere, offering enhanced visibility, security, and policy management.

Key Features of the Nexus 1000v

– Distributed Virtual Switch: The Nexus 1000v operates as a distributed virtual switch, distributing network intelligence across all hosts in the virtualized environment. This ensures consistent policies, simplified troubleshooting, and improved performance.

– Virtual Port Profiles: With virtual port profiles, administrators can define consistent network policies for virtual machines, irrespective of their physical location. This simplifies network provisioning and reduces the chances of misconfigurations.

– Network Analysis Module (NAM): The Nexus 1000v incorporates NAM, a robust monitoring and analysis tool that provides deep visibility into virtual network traffic. This enables administrators to identify and resolve network issues, ensuring optimal performance quickly.

Deployment Considerations

When planning to deploy the Nexus 1000v, it is essential to consider factors such as network architecture, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and scalability requirements. It is advisable to consult with Cisco experts or certified partners to ensure a smooth and successful implementation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Cisco Nexus 1000v is a game-changer in switch virtualization. Its advanced features, seamless integration with VMware environments, and extensive network control make it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to optimize their network infrastructure. By understanding the fundamentals of switch virtualization and exploring Nexus 1000v’s capabilities, network administrators can unlock a world of possibilities in network management and performance.

OpenFlow Protocol

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Understanding OpenFlow Protocol

SDN: A History Guide

Real-World Applications of OpenFlow

OpenFlow Protocol

OpenFlow history

Highlighting SDN

OpenFlow Protocol: Separation of Planes

The data plane

The control plane

The management plane

Example: Use case of vendors and OpenFlow hardware.

A key point: Open vSwitch

A key point: OpenFlow and Open Networking

OpenFlow protocol and decoupling

Flow table and OpenFlow forwarding model

OpenFlow ports

TCAM download protocol

OpenFlow Classifiers

OpenFlow Groups

Summary: OpenFlow Protocol

OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

Highlights: OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

Understanding OpenFlow

Impact on the Networking Landscape

The SDN Layers

A Programmable Network

The role of OpenFlow

OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

What is OpenFlow?

Starting Points for SDN Adoption

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)

Do you think OpenFlow will be derailed?

**Will it be used for program forwarding paths instead of BGP?**

The Future of OpenFlow and SDN:

Summary: OpenFlow and SDN Adoption

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Highlights: Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Enhance Layer 3 Forwarding

Implementing Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding:

Use Case: Performance Routing

Advanced Topic

Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

Google Cloud Data Centers

Summary: Optimal Layer 3 Forwarding

What is OpenFlow?

Highlights: What is OpenFlow?

What is OpenFlow?

Data plane

Hop-by-hop versus path-based forwarding

Native OpenFlow

Summary: What is OpenFlow?

Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

Highlights: Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

Back to basics with network virtualization

Virtual Routing and Forwarding

Cisco Switch Virtualization: The additional overhead

Network Virtualization

Nexus 1000 and VSM best practices

Nexus 1000v InterCloud – Cisco switch virtualization

Nexus 1000v Hybrid Cloud Components

VXLAN Mode Packet Functions

vPath – Service chaining

Summary: Cisco Switch Virtualization Nexus 1000v

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Will it be used for program forwarding paths instead of BGP?