ESG VRF Traffic Disambiguation via VLAN Label Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networking environments with multiple virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) logical routers, it is challenging to disambiguate traffic arriving at an edge services gateway (ESG) from VMs corresponding to different VRF logical routers, as the virtual network identifier (VNI) only indicates a logical switch and not a specific VRF logical router.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using an 'incoming label switch' technique at the ESG, which combines the VNI and VLAN identifier to determine the appropriate VRF logical router, with the service router receiving a packet and forwarding it to the correct virtual switch based on the VLAN identifier, allowing for accurate routing by utilizing a table that maps source IP addresses to VRF logical routers and encapsulating packets with inner and outer headers to ensure correct forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple VRF logical routers are implemented within a single virtual router, then device complexity is reduced, but traffic disambiguation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for traffic identification by combining VNI (virtual network identifier) with VLAN identifier. Instead of relying solely on VNI which only indicates logical switch, the solution adds VLAN identifier as an additional dimensional parameter to uniquely identify traffic belonging to specific VRF logical routers. This two-dimensional identification approach (VNI + VLAN) resolves the ambiguity in multi-VRF environments while maintaining a single virtual router infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual switch acts as an intermediary component between the service router and VRF logical routers. It receives packets from the service router, determines the appropriate VRF logical router using both VNI and VLAN identifier, and forwards packets to the correct destination. This intermediary mechanism enables precise traffic routing without requiring separate physical routing devices for each VRF.
2Speed
If VNI is used alone for packet forwarding, then forwarding speed is improved, but routing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two identification parameters (VNI and VLAN identifier) into a unified packet forwarding mechanism. The VNI provides fast logical switch identification while the VLAN identifier provides precise VRF router identification. By combining these parameters in the packet metadata and using them together in the forwarding decision process, the system achieves both fast forwarding (through VNI-based logical switch identification) and accurate routing (through VLAN-based VRF identification).
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an approach for routing traffic in a network. Embodiments include receiving, by a service router of an edge services gateway (ESG), a packet comprising a virtual network identifier (VNI) and a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier. Embodiments include sending, by the service router, the packet to a virtual switch of the ESG based on the VNI of the packet. Embodiments include determining, by the virtual switch, a virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) router of the ESG for the packet based on the VLAN identifier. Embodiments include forwarding, by the virtual switch, the packet to the VRF router.