26.1.1 Overview

VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames to provide a logical Layer 2 network (network virtualization) over Layer 3 IP networks. The networking configuration using VXLAN has the following features:

• Layer 3 network traversal (multicarrier)

  Traditional carrier services (IP-VPN, Wide Area Ethernet, Internet, etc.) are available for WAN.

• Multi-site support (multi-point)

  The ability to build flat Layer 2 networks allows common management of data center (cloud) and office networks.

• Logical division (multi-tenant)

  By assigning VXLAN identifiers (VNI) to VLAN, and subinterfaces, you can logically divide them beyond the traditional VLAN count (4094).

  A subinterface is a generic term for an Ethernet subinterface and a port-channel subinterface.

The following figure shows a sample networking configuration using VXLAN.

Figure 26-1: Sample Networking Configuration Using VXLAN