What is EVPN-VXLAN and How Does it Work?

Posted on Jun 25, 2024 by

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What is EVPN-VXLAN?

EVPN-VXLAN (Ethernet Virtual Private Network - Virtual Extensible LAN) is a network technology that extends Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure. It combines VXLAN’s scalability, supporting up to 16 million segments, with EVPN’s efficient routing using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol). This combination allows for flexible network design, supporting both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services.

EVPN (Ethernet Virtual Private Network)

EVPN (Ethernet Virtual Private Network) is a network technology that uses BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to provide scalable and efficient Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN services. It offers several key advantages:

Adavantages	How EVPN helps
Efficient MAC Address Distribution	EVPN uses BGP to distribute MAC address information across the network. This method reduces the need for flooding, making the network more efficient.
Scalability	By leveraging BGP, which is designed for large-scale networks, EVPN can easily scale to accommodate a growing number of devices and services.
Layer 2 and Layer 3 Support	EVPN can handle both Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic, providing flexibility in network design and deployment.
Redundancy and Load Balancing	EVPN supports active-active redundancy and multipath forwarding, which enhances network reliability and performance.
Multitenancy	It allows for the creation of isolated network segments, making it suitable for environments that require multitenancy, such as data centers and cloud services.

VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN)

VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a network virtualization technology designed to address the limitations of traditional VLANs. It provides a scalable solution for creating isolated network segments over a shared Layer 3 infrastructure. Key features include:

Advantages	How VXLAN helps
Scalability	VXLAN extends the traditional VLAN ID space from 12 bits to 24 bits, allowing for up to 16 million unique network segments. This is a significant improvement over the 4096 VLANs supported by traditional VLAN technology.
Overlay Network	VXLAN creates a virtual Layer 2 network on top of an existing Layer 3 infrastructure using encapsulation. This allows for the extension of Layer 2 segments across a Layer 3 network.
Encapsulation	It encapsulates Ethernet frames within UDP packets, enabling the creation of overlay networks that can span across geographically dispersed locations.
Multitenancy	VXLAN supports isolated network segments, making it ideal for environments that require strict separation of network traffic, such as data centers and cloud service providers.
Flexibility	By using a Layer 3 underlay, VXLAN can take advantage of IP routing and switching technologies to provide a more flexible and robust network design.

Combined EVPN-VXLAN

When combined, EVPN and VXLAN create a powerful solution for modern networks. EVPN provides efficient MAC address distribution, scalability, and support for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services, while VXLAN offers extensive network segmentation and flexibility through encapsulation and Layer 3 overlay networks. Together, they enable scalable, efficient, and flexible network designs, making them ideal for large-scale, multi-tenant environments like data centers and cloud infrastructures.

How does EVPN-VXLAN Work?

EVPN-VXLAN integrates Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) and Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) to create a scalable and efficient network, this combination makes EVPN-VXLAN ideal for modern data centers and large-scale networks.

VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames within Layer 3 IP packets, using a VXLAN header that includes a unique VXLAN Network Identifier (VNI) to support up to 16 million segments. This allows the extension of Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure.

EVPN acts as the control plane, using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to distribute MAC address information across the network, eliminating the need for traditional flooding methods and enhancing efficiency. VTEPs (VXLAN Tunnel Endpoints) at the network edges handle the encapsulation and decapsulation of packets, establishing BGP sessions to exchange MAC and IP address information dynamically.

When a device sends a packet, VXLAN encapsulates it with a VXLAN header and VNI. The packet is routed through the Layer 3 network to the destination VTEP, which decapsulates and forwards it to the correct Layer 2 segment. EVPN ensures efficient MAC address learning and distribution, supports multitenancy by isolating traffic within VNIs, and enhances redundancy and load balancing through active-active configurations and multipath forwarding.

EVPN-VXLAN in the Data Center

EVPN-VXLAN Advantage Explained

Deploying the EVPN-VXLAN framework has the following benefits:

Scalability: EVPN-VXLAN scales effectively by supporting up to 16 million VNIs, enabling extensive network segmentation without scalability limitations.
Efficiency: Utilizes BGP for MAC address distribution, optimizing network traffic and reducing broadcast overhead.
Flexibility: Supports both Layer 2 and Layer 3 services, accommodating diverse network architectures and operational requirements.
Multitenancy: Provides secure isolation of network segments (VNIs), facilitating efficient multitenant environments in data centers and cloud deployments.
Redundancy & Load Balancing: Implements active-active redundancy and multipath forwarding mechanisms, enhancing network reliability and resource utilization.
Simplified Management: Leverages standardized BGP protocols for streamlined control plane operations and network management.
Security: Ensures secure traffic segmentation and MAC address control, bolstering network security measures.
Compatibility: Integrates seamlessly with existing network infrastructures, supporting interoperability across physical and virtual environments.

VXLAN Network Solution In Data Center

FS N8550 & N8560 series switch portfolio is designed to meet the evolving and complex needs of modern data center networks, including EVPN-VXLAN-based structures. Based on distributed, centralized, non-blocking architecture, FS switches can provide enhanced IT operational efficiency and high availability from the access layer to the aggregation layer and core layer of the data center. Pre-loaded with PicOS®, it is equipped with comprehensive SDN features and compatible AmpCon™ management software, providing a more resilient, programmable, and scalable networking operating system (NOS) at a lower TCO. VXLAN Network Solution In Data Center

FS PicOS® Switches that Support EVPN-VXLAN

N8550-48B8C: 48-Port Ethernet L3 Data Center Switch, 48 x 25Gb SFP28, 2 x 10Gb SFP+, with 8 x 100Gb QSFP28 Uplinks, PicOS®, Support MLAG, Broadcom Chip, with Perpetual License and 5-year Service Bundle

N5850-48X6C: 48-Port Ethernet L3 Data Center Switch, 48 x 10G RJ-45, with 6 x 100G QSFP28 Uplinks, PicOS®, Support MLAG, Broadcom Chip, with Perpetual License and 5-year Service Bundle

N8560-32C: Providing line-rate L3 switching across the 32x QSFP28 ports, and each QSFP28 port can be conﬁgured as 40/100GbE, or as 4x 10/25GbE or 2x 50GbE via breakout cables. The compact 1U switch can be deployed as a top-of-rack (ToR) switch supporting 10/25GbE to servers with 40/50/100GbE, a spine switch supporting 40/50/100GbE spine interconnects, or an aggregation/core switch in enterprise network scenario

N8550-64C: 64-Port Ethernet L3 Data Center Switch , 64 x 100Gb QSFP28, PicOS®, Support MLAG, Broadcom Chip, with Perpetual License and 5-year Service Bundle

N5850-48S6Q: 48-Port Ethernet L3 Data Center Switch, 48 x 10Gb SFP+, with 6 x 40Gb QSFP+ Uplinks, PicOS®, Support MLAG, Broadcom Chip, with Perpetual License and 5-year Service Bundle

N8550-24CD8D: A compact 1U form factor with 24 200Gb QSFP56 and 8 400Gb QSFP-DD, Support MLAG, Broadcom Chip, it can provide 8.0Tbps switching capacity and 5350 Mpps forwarding rate for data center networks, or an aggregation/core switch in enterprise networks

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