Abstract: Techniques for virtual workload deployment based on computing resource hardware load and associated network hardware load. For each of a plurality of computing resources within one or more data centers onto which a virtual workload can be deployed, a computing resource hardware load of the respective computing resource is determined. Network topology information is maintained for at least one network fabric of the one or more data centers, and an associated network hardware load of a network device communicatively connected to the respective computing resource is determined. Embodiments automatically select one or more computing resources. The virtual workload is deployed onto the automatically selected one or more computing resources.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual workload deployment based on computing resource hardware load and associated network hardware load. For each of a plurality of computing resources within one or more data centers onto which a virtual workload can be deployed, a computing resource hardware load of the respective computing resource is determined. Network topology information is maintained for at least one network fabric of the one or more data centers, and an associated network hardware load of a network device communicatively connected to the respective computing resource is determined. Embodiments automatically select one or more computing resources. The virtual workload is deployed onto the automatically selected one or more computing resources.

Abstract: A method is described and in one embodiment includes receiving at a top-of-rack (“TOR”) switch a notification concerning a virtual machine (“VM”), wherein the received notification identifies a host associated with the VM; determining whether the identified host is directly connected to the TOR switch; and if the identified host is not directly connected to the TOR switch, identifying an intermediate switch to which the identified host is directly connected; and determining whether the identified intermediate switch to which the identified host is directly attached is attached to the TOR switch.

Abstract: Embodiments include determining computing resources within one or more data centers onto which a virtual workload can be deployed. Network state data is determined for a plurality of network resources within a network fabric of a data center. For each of the plurality of computing resources, embodiments determine a respective suitability value describing a fitness of the respective physical server for deploying at least a portion of the virtual workload. Such a determination includes determining a respective at least one of the plurality of network resources within the at least one network fabric corresponding to the respective computing resource and determining a current workload of the at least one network resource, based on the network state data. Upon selecting one or more computing resources of the plurality of computing resources based on the determined suitability values, embodiments deploy the virtual workload onto the selected one or more computing resources.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: A method is described and in one embodiment includes receiving at a top-of-rack (“TOR”) switch a notification concerning a virtual machine (“VM”), wherein the received notification identifies a host associated with the VM; determining whether the identified host is directly connected to the TOR switch; and if the identified host is not directly connected to the TOR switch, identifying an intermediate switch to which the identified host is directly connected; and determining whether the identified intermediate switch to which the identified host is directly attached is attached to the TOR switch.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a first network element a packet from a second network element; processing the packet at the first network element to obtain information regarding an identity of a virtual machine (“VM”) hosted by the second network element contained within the packet; and storing at the first network element the identifying information. The identifying information stored at the first network element is accessible by at least one third network element. In some embodiments, the first network element comprises a physical switch and the second network element comprises a virtual switch.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: Embodiments include determining computing resources within one or more data centers onto which a virtual workload can be deployed. Network state data is determined for a plurality of network resources within a network fabric of a data center. For each of the plurality of computing resources, embodiments determine a respective suitability value describing a fitness of the respective physical server for deploying at least a portion of the virtual workload. Such a determination includes determining a respective at least one of the plurality of network resources within the at least one network fabric corresponding to the respective computing resource and determining a current workload of the at least one network resource, based on the network state data. Upon selecting one or more computing resources of the plurality of computing resources based on the determined suitability values, embodiments deploy the virtual workload onto the selected one or more computing resources.

Abstract: An example method for touchless multi-domain VLAN based orchestration in a network environment is provided and includes receiving mobility domain information for a virtual machine associated with a processor executing the method in a network environment, the mobility domain information comprising a mobility domain identifier (ID) indicating a scope within which the virtual machine can be moved between servers, generating a virtual station interface (VSI) discovery protocol (VDP) message in a type-length-value (TLV) format with the mobility domain information, and transmitting the VDP message to a leaf switch directly attached to the server, wherein the leaf switch provisions a port according to the mobility domain information.

Abstract: An example method for touchless multi-domain VLAN based orchestration in a network environment is provided and includes receiving mobility domain information for a virtual machine associated with a processor executing the method in a network environment, the mobility domain information comprising a mobility domain identifier (ID) indicating a scope within which the virtual machine can be moved between servers, generating a virtual station interface (VSI) discovery protocol (VDP) message in a type-length-value (TLV) format with the mobility domain information, and transmitting the VDP message to a leaf switch directly attached to the server, wherein the leaf switch provisions a port according to the mobility domain information.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a system configured for virtual local area network (VLAN) blocking on a virtual port channel (vPC) member link to handle discrepant virtual network instance (VNI) to VLAN mappings. In other embodiments, the system can be configured for providing Virtual Switch Interface Discovery Protocol (VDP) and virtual switch enhancements to accommodate discrepant VNI to VLAN mappings. In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, where the apparatus is configured such that if a server is connected through a virtual port channel, a VDP is used to notify the server of different VNI to VLAN mappings. In another embodiment, the apparatus can extend a VDP Filter Info Field to carry a set of VLANs mapped to a VNI, keyed by leaf MAC addresses that serve as bridge identifiers.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a first network element a packet from a second network element; processing the packet at the first network element to obtain information regarding an identity of a virtual machine (“VM”) hosted by the second network element contained within the packet; and storing at the first network element the identifying information. The identifying information stored at the first network element is accessible by at least one third network element. In some embodiments, the first network element comprises a physical switch and the second network element comprises a virtual switch.