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 for programming a MAC address table by a first leaf node in a network comprising a plurality of leaf nodes is provided. Each leaf node comprises one or more Virtual Tunnel End Points (“VTEPs”) and instantiates a plurality of Virtual Routing and Forwarding elements (“VRFs”), with a corresponding Bridge Domain (“BD”) assigned to each VRF. The method includes obtaining information indicating one or more VTEP Affinity Groups (VAGs), each VAG comprising an identification of one VTEP per leaf node, obtaining information indicating assignment of each VRF to one of the VAGs, assigning each VAG to a unique Filtering Identifier (“FID”), thereby generating one or more FIDs, and programming the MAC address table, using FIDs instead of BDs, by populating the MAC address table with a plurality of entries, each entry comprising a unique combination of a FID and a MAC address of a leaf node.

Abstract: A method for programming a MAC address table by a first leaf node in a network comprising a plurality of leaf nodes is provided. Each leaf node comprises one or more Virtual Tunnel End Points (“VTEPs”) and instantiates a plurality of Virtual Routing and Forwarding elements (“VRFs”), with a corresponding Bridge Domain (“BD”) assigned to each VRF. The method includes obtaining information indicating one or more VTEP Affinity Groups (VAGs), each VAG comprising an identification of one VTEP per leaf node, obtaining information indicating assignment of each VRF to one of the VAGs, assigning each VAG to a unique Filtering Identifier (“FID”), thereby generating one or more FIDs, and programming the MAC address table, using FIDs instead of BDs, by populating the MAC address table with a plurality of entries, each entry comprising a unique combination of a FID and a MAC address of a leaf node.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a pool of multicast group addresses reserved for assignment to Layer 2 (“L2”) and Layer 3 (“L3”) segment IDs of a network comprising an Internet protocol (“IP”) fabric, and assigning a first multicast group address from the pool to an L3 segment ID of a Virtual Routing and Forwarding element (“VRF”) associated with a new partition established in the network. The method further includes pushing the first multicast group address assignment to a database to provide arguments for configuration profiles, and configuring a new tenant detected on a leaf node of the network using the configuration profiles, in which the configuring comprises specifying multicast group to segment ID assignments for the tenant as specified in the configuration profiles.

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: Some implementations provide a method that includes: (i) receiving a list of logic link aggregations (LAGs) within a computer network, the list identifying a single physical egress port associated with each LAG; (ii) receiving a data unit; (iii) identifying that the data unit is addressed to a remote LAG included in the list of logic link aggregations; (iv) establishing a connection with the remote LAG; (v) downloading a detailed data describing the remote LAG from a control plane, the detailed data including a list of multiple available physical egress ports associated with the remote LAG, and; (vi) upon downloading the detailed data, incorporating the detailed data into the list of LAGs in association with an entry identifying the remote LAG.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing movements of virtual machines in a network. At a first switch, a virtual machine (VM) is detected. The VM is hosted by a physical server coupled to the first switch. A message is sent to other switches and it indicates that the VM is hosted by the physical server. When the first switch is paired with a second switch as a virtual port channel (vPC) pair, the message includes a switch identifier that identifies the second switch. A receiving switch receives the message from a source switch in the network comprising a route update associated with the VM. A routing table of the receiving switch is evaluated to determine whether the host route is associated with a server facing the physical port. The message is examined to determine it contains the switch identifier.

Abstract: An example method for facilitating multiple mobility domains with VLAN translation in a multi-tenant network environment is provided and includes detecting attachment of a first virtual machine on a first port and a second virtual machine on a second port of a network element, the first port and the second port being configured with a first mobility domain and a second mobility domain, respectively, and the first and second virtual machines being configured on a same original VLAN, determining whether the original VLAN falls within a pre-configured VLAN range, translating the original VLAN to a first VLAN on the first port corresponding to the first mobility domain and to a second VLAN on the second port corresponding to the second mobility domain, and segregating traffic on the original VLAN into the first VLAN and the second VLAN according to the respective mobility domains for per-port VLAN significance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more indicia of stress are monitored. Based on the one or more indicia of stress, it is determined a stress condition exists. In response to the stress condition, one or more link aggregation actors and partners are caused to enter a grace state for a grace period. While the one or more link aggregation actors and partners are in the grace state, link aggregation formation is paced on a plurality of links by delaying formation of one or more new link aggregation groups on the plurality of links until a hold is released. Upon expiration of the grace period, the grace state is exited.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing movements of virtual machines in a network. At a first switch, a virtual machine (VM) is detected. The VM is hosted by a physical server coupled to the first switch. A message is sent to other switches and it indicates that the VM is hosted by the physical server. When the first switch is paired with a second switch as a virtual port channel (vPC) pair, the message includes a switch identifier that identifies the second switch. A receiving switch receives the message from a source switch in the network comprising a route update associated with the VM. A routing table of the receiving switch is evaluated to determine whether the host route is associated with a server facing the physical port. The message is examined to determine it contains the switch identifier.

Abstract: Coordinating gateways for multi-destination traffic across a TRILL fabric and a VXLAN/IP fabric with a plurality of TRILL IS-IS TLVs and a plurality of Layer 3 IS-IS TLVs is provided herein. The plurality of TRILL IS-IS TLVs and the plurality of Layer 3 IS-IS TLVs effectuate: grafting an IP multicast share tree with a plurality of TRILL distribution trees at only one of a plurality of gateways in a network interworking a TRILL fabric and a VXLAN/IP fabric; ensuring that multicast traffic traversing from the plurality of TRILL distribution trees is not looped back to the TRILL fabric through the VXLAN/IP fabric; restoring connectivity among a plurality of VXLAN/IP fabric partitions through the TRILL fabric if the VXLAN/IP fabric is partitioned; and restoring connectivity among a plurality of TRILL fabric partitions through the VXLAN/IP fabric if the TRILL fabric is partitioned.

Abstract: Techniques which provide scalable techniques for managing multicast traffic in interconnected IP fabric data centers. More specifically, embodiments presented herein disclose an aggregated source technique used to address scalability issues for interconnected IP fabric data centers as well as disclose a secondary rendezvous point technique used to address backbone network (S, G) multicast state scalability. Additionally, embodiments disclosed herein include an approach for border leaf load balancing based on group destination addresses used by VTEPs.

Abstract: Synchronization of traffic multiplexing in link aggregation is described. In an embodiment, a first link aggregator and a second link aggregator are associated with a plurality of links. The first link aggregator maintains an identifier for each link indicating at least a state of enabled or disabled. A synchronized clock is established between the first link aggregator and the second link aggregator. A particular link of the plurality of links is transitioned. Wherein, the transitioning is performed by the first link aggregator sending, to the second link aggregator, a first message identifying a particular time to transition the particular link. The first link aggregator receives, from the second link aggregator, a second message indicating that the particular time is acceptable. In response to a determination that the second message indicates that the particular time is acceptable and that the synchronized clock has reached the particular time, transitioning the link.

Abstract: Packet transmission techniques are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving a packet that identifies an internet protocol (IP) address assigned to more than one destination node; selecting a virtual routing and forwarding table based, at least in part, on a segmentation identification in the packet; identifying a designated destination node in the packet based, at least in part, on the selected virtual routing and forwarding table; and transmitting the packet to the designated destination node.

Abstract: An example method for facilitating multiple mobility domains with VLAN translation in a multi-tenant network environment is provided and includes detecting attachment of a first virtual machine on a first port and a second virtual machine on a second port of a network element, the first port and the second port being configured with a first mobility domain and a second mobility domain, respectively, and the first and second virtual machines being configured on a same original VLAN, determining whether the original VLAN falls within a pre-configured VLAN range, translating the original VLAN to a first VLAN on the first port corresponding to the first mobility domain and to a second VLAN on the second port corresponding to the second mobility domain, and segregating traffic on the original VLAN into the first VLAN and the second VLAN according to the respective mobility domains for per-port VLAN significance.

Abstract: A monitoring session associated with a virtual nickname may be established in a TRILL network. A monitoring station may be connected to an edge switch of the TRILL network specifying the virtual nickname for the monitoring session. The monitoring station is set as a destination for the monitoring session and the virtual nickname is flooded throughout the TRILL network. A source may then be configured to the monitoring session by specifying the virtual nickname of the monitoring session without knowing the destination tied to the monitoring session. Network traffic through the source may then be forwarded to the destination tied to the monitoring session.

Abstract: An example method for determining an optimal forwarding path across a network having gateways configured to implement a plurality of logical networking protocols can include determining a path cost over a first logical network between each of the gateways and a source node and a path cost over the a second logical network between each of the gateways and a destination node. Additionally, the method can include determining an encapsulation cost difference between switching packets over the first and second logical networks. The method can also include determining an encapsulation overhead metric associated with one of the first or second logical networks, and weighting one of the first or second path cost by the encapsulation overhead metric. Further, the method can include selecting one of the gateways as an optimal gateway. The selection can be based on the computed path costs.

Abstract: Synchronization of traffic multiplexing in link aggregation is described. In an embodiment, a first link aggregator and a second link aggregator are associated with a plurality of links. The first link aggregator maintains an identifier for each link indicating at least a state of enabled or disabled. A synchronized clock is established between the first link aggregator and the second link aggregator. A particular link of the plurality of links is transitioned. Wherein, the transitioning is performed by the first link aggregator sending, to the second link aggregator, a first message identifying a particular time to transition the particular link. The first link aggregator receives, from the second link aggregator, a second message indicating that the particular time is acceptable. In response to a determination that the second message indicates that the particular time is acceptable and that the synchronized clock has reached the particular time, transitioning the link.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving, at a receiving node, a packet that comprises information indicative of an internet protocol address and a segmentation identification, selecting a virtual routing and forwarding table corresponding with the segmentation identification, identifying a destination node based, at least in part, on the internet protocol address and the virtual routing and forwarding table, and transmitting the packet to the destination node.