Path detection method in VxLAN, controller, and network device

A controller comprising:

• a processor configured to construct a detection packet according to a detection request from a user, the detection packet comprising an identifier indicating a path detection service, an endpoint identifier of a source virtual extensible local area network (VxLAN) tunnel endpoint (VTEP), an endpoint identifier of a destination VTEP, a source port value, a path detection type, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a first network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the source VTEP;
• a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send the detection packet to the first network device;
• and
• a receiver coupled to the processor and the transmitter and configured to:
• receive from the first network device a first reporting message comprising the detection packet, the IP address of the first network device, a hop count, and outbound and inbound interface numbers of the first network device;
• and
• receive reporting messages from all levels of network devices from the source VTEP to the destination VTEP, the reporting message comprising the first reporting message and a second reporting message from a second network device,
• wherein the processor is further configured to:
• screen out, according to the reporting messages from all levels of network devices, one pair of outbound interface number and inbound interface number from a plurality of reporting messages comprising a same IP address and a same hop count, wherein hop counts in the reporting messages from all levels of network devices progressively and sequentially decrease from the first network device to the second network device;
• sort, according to the hop count in the reporting messages from all levels of network devices, all groups obtained after screening and that are of IP addresses, outbound interface numbers, and inbound interface numbers;
• obtain a network path according to each group obtained after screening and sorting and that is of an IP address, an outbound interface number, and an inbound interface number;
• and
• provide the network path to the user.

A system comprising:

• a controller comprising:
• a processor configured to construct a detection packet according to a detection request from a user, the detection packet comprising an identifier indicating a path detection service, an endpoint identifier of a source virtual extensible local area network (VxLAN) tunnel endpoint (VTEP), an endpoint identifier of a destination VTEP, a source port value, a path detection type, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a first network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the source VTEP, wherein the plurality of network devices comprises all levels of network devices from the source VTEP to the destination VTEP, wherein all levels of network devices comprises the first network device, and a second network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the destination VTEP;
• a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to send the detection packet to the first network device;
• and
• a receiver coupled to the processor and the transmitter and configured to:
• receive from the first network device a first reporting message comprising the detection packet, the IP address of the first network device, a hop count, and outbound and inbound interface numbers of the first network device;
• and
• receive reporting messages from all levels of network devices, the reporting messages comprising the first reporting message, and a second reporting message from the second network device,
• wherein the processor is further configured to:
• screen out, according to the reporting messages from all levels of network device, one pair of outbound interface number and inbound interface number from a plurality of reporting messages comprising a same IP address and a same hop count, wherein hop counts in the reporting messages from all levels of network devices progressively and sequentially decrease from the first network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the source VTEP to the second network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the destination VTEP;
• sort, according to the hop counts in the reporting messages from all levels of network devices, all groups obtained after screening and that are of IP addresses, outbound interface numbers, and inbound interface numbers;
• obtain a network path according to each group obtained after screening and sorting and that is of an IP address, an outbound interface number, and an inbound interface number;
• and
• provide the network path to the user;
• wherein each network device comprises:
• a receiver configured to receive a detection packet constructed by a controller according to a detection request from a user, and the detection packet comprising an identifier indicating a path detection service, an endpoint identifier of a source virtual extensible local area network (VxLAN) tunnel endpoint (VTEP), an endpoint identifier of a destination VTEP, a source port value, a path detection type, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a source network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the source VTEP;
• a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to:
• determine, according to the endpoint identifier of the destination VTEP, whether the network device comprises a destination network device corresponding to the endpoint identifier of the destination VTEP;
• generate a reporting message according to the detection packet when the network device comprises the destination network device;
• and
• replicate the detection packet and generate the reporting message when the network device does not comprise the destination network device;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the receiver and the processor and configured to:
• send the reporting message to the controller, wherein the reporting message comprises the detection packet, an IP address of the network device, a hop count, and numbers of an outbound interface and an inbound interface of the network device and through which the detection packet passes;
• and
• forward the detection packet until the detection packet reaches the destination network device.