Abstract: For a network control system that receives, from a user, logical datapath sets that logically express desired forwarding behaviors that are to be implemented by a set of managed switching elements, a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network that includes the managed switching elements is described. The controller includes a set of modules for detecting a change in one or more managed switching elements and for updating logical datapath set based on the detected change. The logical datapath set is for subsequent translation into a set of physical forwarding behaviors of the managed switching elements.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance network traffic management. In one implementation, a first host identifies a packet to be transferred from a first virtual machine on the first host to a second virtual machine on a second host. In response to identifying the packet, the first host identifies a source logical port for the first virtual machine, and transferring a communication to the second host, wherein the communication encapsulates the data packet and the source logical port. Once the packet is received by the second host, the second host may use the source logical port to determine a forwarding action for the packet.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that includes a set of network controllers for receiving definitions of first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several managed switching elements. The set of network controllers configure the several managed switching elements to implement the defined first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several network hosts that are each (1) communicatively coupled to one of the several managed switching elements and (2) associated with one of the first and second logical switching elements. Network data communicated between network hosts associated with the first logical switching element are isolated from network data communicated between network hosts associated with the second logical switching element.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a network management system for managing a logical network that spans multiple physical sites. The network management system includes a global network manager for receiving global logical network configuration data for the multiple physical sites. The network management system includes, at each of the physical sites, (i) a local network manager for receiving a logical network configuration for the physical site from the global network manager and (ii) a set of central controllers for distributing logical network configuration data to computing devices that implement the logical network at the physical site.

Abstract: A network system that includes a first set of network hosts in a first domain and a second set of network hosts in a second domain. Within each of the domains, the system includes several edge switching elements (SEs) that each couple to the network hosts and forward network data to and from the set of network hosts. Within the first domain, the system includes (i) an interior SE that couples to a particular edge SE in order to receive network data for forwarding from the edge SE when the edge SE does not recognize a destination location of the network data and (ii) an interconnection SE that couples to the interior SE, the edge SE, and the second domain through an external network. When the edge SE receives network data with a destination address in the second domain, it forwards the network data directly to the interconnection SE.

Abstract: A network controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network that includes the managed switching elements. The network controller is further for creating a logical switching element to be implemented in a set of managed switching elements. The network controller includes a set of modules for receiving input data specifying a logical switching element and for creating, based on the received input data, a set of logical switch constructs for the logical switching element by performing a set of database join operations. At least one of the logical switch constructs is for facilitating non-forwarding behavior of the logical switching element.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for implementing a logical network that includes a set of end machines, a first logical middlebox, and a second logical middlebox connected by a set of logical forwarding elements. The system includes a set of nodes. Each of several nodes includes (i) a virtual machine for implementing an end machine of the logical network, (ii) a managed switching element for implementing the set of logical forwarding elements of the logical network, and (iii) a middlebox element for implementing the first logical middlebox of the logical network. The system includes a physical middlebox appliance for implementing the second logical middlebox.

Abstract: For a network controller for managing hosts in a network, a method for configuring a host to resolve network addresses is described. The method configures an address resolution module in a host to resolve a network address. The method configures a managed forwarding element in the host to (1) avoid sending a request to resolve the network address to another host by using the address resolution module to resolve the network address and (2) forward packets using the resolved network address.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a network controller that manages several logical networks. The method receives a specification of a logical network that includes at least one logical forwarding element attached to a logical service (e.g., DHCP). The method selects at least one host machine to host the specified logical service from several host machines designated for hosting logical services. The method generates logical service configuration information for distribution to the selected host machine. In some embodiments, the method selects a master host machine and a backup host machine for hosting logical service. In some embodiments, a particular one of the designated host machines hosts at least two DHCP services for two different logical networks as separate processes operating on the particular host machine.

Abstract: A network system that includes a first set of network hosts in a first domain and a second set of network hosts in a second domain. Within each of the domains, the system includes several edge switching elements (SEs) that each couple to the network hosts and forward network data to and from the set of network hosts. Within the first domain, the system includes (i) an interior SE that couples to a particular edge SE in order to receive network data for forwarding from the edge SE when the edge SE does not recognize a destination location of the network data and (ii) an interconnection SE that couples to the interior SE, the edge SE, and the second domain through an external network. When the edge SE receives network data with a destination address in the second domain, it forwards the network data directly to the interconnection SE.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for dynamically exchanging runtime state data between datacenters with a gateway using a controller bridge is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving one or more first runtime state data from one or more logical sharding central control planes (“CCPs”) controlling one or more logical sharding hosts; receiving one or more second runtime state data from a gateway that is controlled by a CCP that also controls one or more physical sharding hosts; aggregating to aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data received from the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the one or more second runtime state data received from the gateway; determining updated runtime state data based on the aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data, and the one or more second runtime state data; and transmitting the updated runtime state data to at least one of the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the gateway.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for distributing a service rule that is to be enforced across a first set of sites and that is defined by reference to a group identifier that identifies a group of machines. The method distributes the service rule to each site in the first set of sites. The method identifies at least one site in the first set of sites that is not in a second set of sites that has already received a definition of the group. The method distributes the group definition to each identified site in the first set of sites that has not already received the definition of the group.

Abstract: A non-transitory machine readable medium storing a program that configures managed forwarding elements to establish tunnels between the managed forwarding elements is described. From a particular managed forwarding element, the program receives information regarding coupling of a network element to the first managed forwarding element. Upon receiving the information, the program generates a set of universal flow entries for configuring another managed forwarding element to establish a tunnel to the particular managed forwarding element.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a a method of processing packets associated with a logical switching element implemented by multiple physical switching elements executing on multiple host computers on which multiple machines execute. At a first physical switching element of a first host computer, the method receives a packet from a first machine associated with the logical switching element. For the packet, the method identifies a logical ingress port of the logical switch that is associated with the packet. For the packet, the method also uses the logical ingress port to identify a logical egress port of the logical switch that is associated with the packet. For the packet, the method also uses the logical egress port to identify a physical egress port of the first host computer to use to send the packet along to a second machine associated with the logical egress port.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for implementing a logical network that includes a set of end machines, a first logical middlebox, and a second logical middlebox connected by a set of logical forwarding elements. The system includes a set of nodes. Each of several nodes includes (i) a virtual machine for implementing an end machine of the logical network, (ii) a managed switching element for implementing the set of logical forwarding elements of the logical network, and (iii) a middlebox element for implementing the first logical middlebox of the logical network. The system includes a physical middlebox appliance for implementing the second logical middlebox.

Abstract: For a managed network including multiple host machines implementing multiple logical networks, some embodiments provide a method that reduces the memory and traffic load required to implement the multiple logical networks. The method generates configuration data for each of multiple host machines including (i) data to configure a host machine to implement a set of logical forwarding elements that belong to a set of routing domains and (ii) identifiers for each routing domain in the set of routing domains. The method then receives data regarding tunnels endpoints operating on each of the host machines and an association with the routing identifiers sent to the host machines. The method then generates a routing domain tunnel endpoint list for each routing domain based on the data received from each of the host machines including a list of the tunnel endpoints associated with the routing domain which the host machines can use to facilitate packet processing.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for dynamically exchanging runtime state data between datacenters with a gateway using a controller bridge is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving one or more first runtime state data from one or more logical sharding central control planes (“CCPs”) controlling one or more logical sharding hosts; receiving one or more second runtime state data from a gateway that is controlled by a CCP that also controls one or more physical sharding hosts; aggregating to aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data received from the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the one or more second runtime state data received from the gateway; determining updated runtime state data based on the aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data, and the one or more second runtime state data; and transmitting the updated runtime state data to at least one of the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the gateway.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a network controller that manages several logical networks. The method receives a specification of a logical network that includes at least one logical forwarding element attached to a logical service (e.g., DHCP). The method selects at least one host machine to host the specified logical service from several host machines designated for hosting logical services. The method generates logical service configuration information for distribution to the selected host machine. In some embodiments, the method selects a master host machine and a backup host machine for hosting logical service. In some embodiments, a particular one of the designated host machines hosts at least two DHCP services for two different logical networks as separate processes operating on the particular host machine.

Abstract: Example methods are provided for assigning a routing domain identifier in a logical network environment that includes one or more logical distributed routers and one or more logical switches. In one example, the method may comprise obtaining network topology information specifying how the one or more logical distributed routers are connected with the one or more logical switches; and selecting, from the one or more logical switches, a particular logical switch for which routing domain identifier assignment is required. The method may also comprise: identifying a particular logical distributed router that is connected with the particular logical switch based on the network topology information; assigning the particular logical switch with the routing domain identifier that is associated with the particular logical distributed router; and using the routing domain identifier in a communication between a management entity and a host.

Abstract: For a network controller for managing hosts in a network, a method for configuring a host to resolve network addresses is described. The method configures an address resolution module in a host to resolve a network address. The method configures a managed forwarding element in the host to (1) avoid sending a request to resolve the network address to another host by using the address resolution module to resolve the network address and (2) forward packets using the resolved network address.