This chapter provides an overview of Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) and its implementation with OcNOS. VXLAN creates LAN segments using a MAC in IP encapsulation. The encapsulation carries the original L2 frame received from a host to the destination in another server using IP tunnels. The endpoints of the virtualized tunnel formed using VXLAN are called VTEPs (VXLAN Tunnel EndPoints). This technology allows the network to support several tenants with minimum changes in the network. The VTEPs carry tenant data in L3 tunnels over the network. The tenant data is not used in routing or switching. This aids in tenant machine movement and allows the tenants to have the same IP or MAC addresses on end devices, hosts/VM’s.

OcNOS supports VxLAN IPv4 tunnels, but both IPv4 and IPv6 hosts are supported.