Fabric extend over a set of Exos switches?

[AlexH]

This may not be possible, but it would be handy if it is...  I have 4 switches on my desk, a pair of 430s running EXOS, and 2 5320s using VOSS.  I have 2 laptops, and they connect just fine over the 2 430s in a VLAN, but that was just to test.  I was attempting to refer to this page : Fabric Engine User Guide (extremenetworks.com)

to build out a test setup to link the 2 VOSS switches over the EXOS switches somehow to extend the fabric over.  Since I am new to VOSS, and honestly relatively new to EXOS although I can now get around in it ok, they are slightly different /tongue in cheek there.  

So, is this even a possibility, or would I have to use something like an XA1400 to set this up?

[MJS · Accepted solution]

Hi Alex. I believe you're on the right track to consider using "Fabric Extend". Here are some detailed examples of how to make this happen.

https://extreme-networks.my.site.com/ExtrArticleDetail?an=000078226&q=fabric%20extend
https://extreme-networks.my.site.com/ExtrArticleDetail?an=000078216&q=fabric%20extend

MS

[gfriedl]

correct .. the differences in both approaches - L2 versus L3 based Fabric Extend  would be following (might not be a complete list, but important to consider):

• L2 / VLAN-based approach requires 2 dedicated VLANs per "remote" site, but uses just same frame size as a usual SPBM packet, so 22 additional Bytes for 8021.ah (MAC-in-MAC)
• L3 based (uses VXLAN ancapsulation) would just require "IP underlay" (in your case could be just IP on a single VLAN, stretched across the EXOS switches) and the switches in between would need to support frames up to 1594 Byte length (enable jumbo on EXOS). you might also build a routed network based on your EXOS nodes and have dedicated subnets on bot ends to the fabric; in this case don't forget to create routes or enable a routing protocol within the "underlay".