Avaya is actively supporting the VXLAN initiative, and we are working closely with VMware to leverage the technology that underpins Fabric Connect to provide a very simplified and truly scalable evolution path to VXLAN, avoiding the PIM Multicast Routing required as defined in the IETF draft. Furthermore, our solution has the advantage of providing interworking between VXLAN domains and traditional VLAN domains. Enabling operators to deploy hybrid environments without the need for specialized hardware.

1. VXLAN, VMware’s attempt at creating a next-generation VLAN technology, is
intended to help businesses maximize the effectiveness of their server
virtualization activities. Officially, “Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) works by
creating Layer 2 logical networks that are encapsulated in standard Layer 3 IP
packets. A ‘Segment ID’ in every frame differentiates the VXLAN logical
networks from each other without any need for VLAN tags. This allows very
large numbers of isolated Layer 2 VXLAN networks to co-exist on a common
Layer 3 infrastructure.” 1
The intent is to build virtual domains on top of a
common networking and virtualization infrastructure, with these virtual
domains having complete isolation from each other and the underlying
network. This is the theory anyway.
However, the initial VXLAN specification was based on some rather
conventional networking concepts, and did not make allowance for
groundbreaking work that had already been undertaken within the IEEE in
defining Shortest Path Bridging (SPB). Both technologies aim for service
abstraction, both are based on a 24-bit ‘Service ID’, however, whereas SPB
revolutionizes networking with a streamlined, simplified approach, VXLAN is
largely stuck in the old world, planned around traditional combinations of
Spanning Tree, IP Routing, and IP Multicast. Avaya Virtual Enterprise Network
Architecture (VENA) Fabric Connect is based
on the IEEE’s Shortest Path Bridging standard,
and because of the shared elements, we can
integrate support much more effectively than
any other technology solution. We can also
optimize VXLAN in exactly the same way that
we optimize normal IP Multicast.
Avaya is actively supporting the VXLAN
initiative, and we are working closely with
VMware to leverage the technology that
underpins Fabric Connect to provide a very
simplified and truly scalable evolution path to
VXLAN, avoiding the PIM Multicast Routing
required as defined in the IETF draft.
Furthermore, our solution has the advantage
avaya.com | 1
Integrating VXLAN with
Avaya VENA Fabric Connect
Delivering game-changing productivity,
agility, and dependability
1
VMware Inc. – ‘VXLAN – Solving the Datacenter Network Challenge’

2. avaya.com | 2
of providing interworking between VXLAN domains and traditional VLAN
domains. Enabling operators to deploy hybrid environments without the need
for specialized hardware.
The carrier-class heritage behind Avaya Fabric Connect enables us to uniquely
solve the VXLAN deployment and scalability challenge within a dynamic data
center environment, and this will deliver significant scaling, simplification, and
performance improvements compared to native, unimproved VXLAN.
As we further develop our interworking with VXLAN, the relationship between
VXLAN and our SPB-based Fabric Connect will transition from overlay/
foundation to that of direct peers, specifically at the services level. For
example, one of the design limitations facing early VXLAN adoption is the
constraint where the same VMware vCenter instance cannot network VXLAN
and non-VXLAN (i.e. traditional VLAN) Virtual Machines (VMs) together; that is,
like VXLAN VMs can be connected, and like non-VXLAN VMs can be connected,
but these two environments cannot be mixed. This is particularly relevant when
considering dispersed data centers, and Private/Public Cloud environments –
where hybrid connectivity, though highly desirable, even compulsory, would
otherwise not be possible. Leveraging the lightweight configuration and edge-
only provisioning paradigm offered by Fabric Connect, VXLAN instances will be
mapped directly to Virtual Service Networks on Fabric Connect providing a
much needed, real-world hybrid solution.
Operating and interworking VXLAN within a Fabric Connect environment
delivers two significant benefits: service control and orchestration occurs at
hardware-assisted speeds, and the delivery of VXLAN functionality without the
need for Layer 3 configuration. Crucially, the later solves the otherwise
burdensome architectural issue of constantly going beyond the Top-of-Rack
tier in order to access Layer 3 services (these being typically deployed in the
Core of the data center). Integrating VXLAN with the SPB used by Fabric
Connect means that multi-phase application flows can be fully optimized and
easily scaled, all within Avaya’s high performance Distributed Top-of-Rack.
Avaya Virtualization Provisioning Service (VPS) also plays a key role by
streamlining the orchestration of services, and interfaces directly with vCenter
to manage the interworking of dedicated VXLAN, dedicated non-VXLAN (i.e.
VLAN-based), and hybrid VXLAN/non-VXLAN connectivity.
As we further develop
our interworking
with VXLAN, the
relationship between
VXLAN and our SPB-
based Fabric Connect
will transition from
overlay/foundation to
that of direct peers,
specifically at the
services level.

3. avaya.com | 3
VMware’s VXLAN and Avaya’s SPB-based Fabric Connect are not in conflict. They are
complementary; with overlapping capabilities, so that when used together they can
help businesses build agile, scalable environments that enhance the total value
proposition of highly virtualized next-generation infrastructures, combining fully
orchestrated computing and networking. This might include connecting dispersed
Fabric Connect environments over an IP core, it might be the seamless migration of
VMs in and between Fabric Connect environments, or it might be interworking a Fabric
Connect Private Cloud environment with the Public Cloud based on VXLAN.
© 2012 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks identified by ®, ™, or SM
are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc.
08/12 • DN7131
avaya.com | 3
About Avaya
Avaya is a global provider of business collaboration and communications solutions,
providing unified communications, contact centers, networking and related services
to companies of all sizes around the world. For more information please visit
www.avaya.com.