topic RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Tomasz — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:04:00 GMT

Hello, are we able to support VXLAN/NVGRE/STT or propose any alternative to VXLAN on Extreme switches, most likely BDX8?

Kind regards
Tomasz

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Sumit_Tokle — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:23:00 GMT

Yes, it does support VXLAN. But couln't able to locate the configuration guide for the same. Not sure if it's in future roadmaps

Few URL: http://www.extremenetworks.com/solving-the-vm-mobility-problem-across-multiple-data-centers-at-layer...

It's mentioned in BDX8 datasheet: http://learn.extremenetworks.com/rs/extreme/images/BlackDiamond-X8-DS.pdf

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Sumit_Tokle — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:38:00 GMT

It will support from 16.2 software

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Stephane_Grosj1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 21:45:00 GMT

We do have switches that are VXLAN-ready in hardware, in the sense to behave as a hardware VTEP. The feature has not been enabled yet.

Of course, we can transport VXLAN traffic on any L3 switch, as this is IP.

As an alternative, the use case is important to understand to propose something clever. Typically, what is the problem you want to solve with VXLAN? Would that make sense to turn a Core switch into a VTEP, instead of an IP router?

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Tomasz — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 01:57:00 GMT

Thank you for the answers, so I can assume that VXLAN will be in the near future on BDX8? Sounds great, I don't know why I couldn't locate that earlier in the DS.

If it will really come up with 16.2, I have no reason to ask for any alternative (despite - for a release date  ). That is exactly what one potential customer wants and needs. I don't know the exact purposes, VXLAN is mentioned in public tender specification.

Kind regards,
Tomasz

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Stephane_Grosj1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 02:10:00 GMT

Please, don't misread me. I don't think current generation of I/O modules on BDX8 are VXLAN hardware-ready (ie able to act as a VTEP). The current switches hardware-ready are Summit X670G2 and Summit X770.

Once again, the need for BDX8 to act as a VTEP is not obvious. You either want it on the Hypervisor or the ToR. On the Core of the DC, this is not always mandatory.

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Tomasz — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 02:10:00 GMT

Regarding the BDX8 I had Sumit Tokle's words on my mind.

What I know for now is that the opportunity seems to be aiming at Arista 7500, regarding other requirements, like for a lot of 100GbE ports.
And there is a requirement of VXLAN GW at a switch. It'll be quite big network with 5 locations where it looks like BDXes will be kind of ToR, not a core.

Take care,
Tomasz

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Stephane_Grosj1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:49:00 GMT

I just noticed you placed this thread in both EXOS and EOS. As you mentionned the BDX8, I answered in an EXOS-way.

We do have hardware-ready VXLAN platforms as well on EOS (S-Series and K-series if I'm not mistaken). The feature is not yet enabled. The nature of the CoreFlow2 ASIC powering these switches should allow for interesting capabilities.

I would recommend you to contact your local Extreme SE to discuss this in further detail, under some NDA terms, maybe.

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Tomasz — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:49:00 GMT

I know upon the S-Series capabilities, they don't have 100 Gig ports though. 😞
The thread is in both OSes for knowledge purposes.

Is there any possibility for Extreme to deploy VXLAN alternative (NVGRE, STT, anything else that doesn't need special hardware architecture) on BDX8?

Regards,
Tomasz

RE: VXLAN or alternatives on XOS switches

Stephane_Grosj1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:49:00 GMT

Any of the "recent" encapsulation (VXLAN, NVGRE, STT, GENEVE) require a special HW architecture. Usually it means a new chipset, so a new Gen of module. That's the case for BDX8.