OcNOS DC : Layer 2
Layer 2
 
Overview
Target Users
Key Capabilities
Overview
The OcNOS DC Layer 2 Guide provides a comprehensive reference for the switching and Ethernet capabilities supported in OcNOS for modern Data Center CLOS fabrics. It consolidates all Layer 2 protocols into a single resource, focusing on bridging, loop prevention, and high-performance capabilities essential for AI/ML and multi-tenant environments, such as lossless Ethernet via Data Center Bridging (DCB).
Each feature includes conceptual overviews, configuration procedures, topology examples, and command references. This guide explains how Layer 2 functions operate within OcNOS to ensure low latency in high-density data center architectures.
Target Users
This guide is intended for:
• Network administrators responsible for configuring and maintaining OcNOS in Data Center environments.
• Operations teams deploying scalable Ethernet fabrics for server connectivity and AI/ML workloads.
• Support engineers troubleshooting protocol behavior, loop prevention, and Layer 2 forwarding issuesin multi-tenant networks.
• Technical evaluators assessing the Layer 2 switching capabilities and DCB capabilities of OcNOS for data center deployment.
Key Capabilities
This guide enables users to:
• Configure High-Performance Switching including VLANs, Multiple Spanning Tree (MSTP), and Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree (RPVST+).
• Implement Lossless Ethernet via Data Center Bridging (DCB) including Priority-based Flow Control (PFC) and DCBx for lossless transport in AI/ML and storage networks.
• Deploy Resilient Link Bundling using static/dynamic LAG and Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) for non-blocking server connectivity.
• Implement Advanced Traffic Mirroring using SPAN, RSPAN, and ERSPAN for routing mirrored traffic across L3 boundaries for centralized analysis.
• Optimize Forwarding Efficiency using L2 Sub-interfaces, Cross-Connect (XC), and CFM over xConnect for resilient service delivery.
• Secure the Fabric using IEEE 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass, and Port Security to prevent unauthorized network access.
• Maintain Network Health via ErrDisable for link-flap and storm control, LLDP neighbor discovery, and unidirectional link detection (UDLD).
For detailed information on OcNOS Layer 2 topics and specific configurations, refer to the OcNOS DC Layer 2 Guide.