US 11,115,375 B2 · Interoperability between data plane learning endpoints and control plane learning endpoints in overlay networks

Abstract

A system and a method are disclosed for enabling interoperability between data plane learning endpoints and control plane learning endpoints in an overlay network environment. An exemplary method for managing network traffic in the overlay network environment includes receiving network packets in an overlay network from data plane learning endpoints and control plane learning endpoints, wherein the overlay network extends Layer 2 network traffic over a Layer 3 network; operating in a data plane learning mode when a network packet is received from a data plane learning endpoint; and operating in a control plane learning mode when the network packet is received from a control plane learning endpoint. Where the overlay network includes more than one overlay segment, the method further includes operating as an anchor node for routing inter-overlay segment traffic to and from hosts that operate behind the data plane learning endpoints.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

designating a first endpoint in an overlay network as a data plane learning endpoint and a second endpoint in the overlay network as a control plane learning endpoint;
operating in a data plane learning mode when a network packet in the overlay network is received from the data plane learning endpoint, wherein the data plane learning mode allows Layer 2 learning, and wherein the data plane learning mode is used when communicating with hosts behind the data plane learning endpoint;
and
operating in a control plane learning mode when the network packet is received from the control plane learning endpoint, wherein the control plane learning mode disables the Layer 2 learning, and wherein the control plane learning mode is used when communicating with other hosts behind the control plane learning endpoint.

1 more element

A system comprising:

one or more processors;
and
at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
designate a first endpoint in an overlay network as a data plane learning endpoint and a second endpoint in the overlay network as a control plane learning endpoint;
operate in a data plane learning mode when a network packet in the overlay network is received from the data plane learning endpoint, wherein the data plane learning mode allows Layer 2 learning, and wherein the data plane learning mode is used when communicating with hosts behind the data plane learning endpoint;
and
operate in a control plane learning mode when the network packet is received from the control plane learning endpoint, wherein the control plane learning mode disables the Layer 2 learning, and wherein the control plane learning mode is used when communicating with other hosts behind the control plane learning endpoint.

4 more elements

At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

designate a first endpoint in an overlay network as a data plane learning endpoint and a second endpoint in the overlay network as a control plane learning endpoint;
operate in a data plane learning mode when a network packet in the overlay network is received from the data plane learning endpoint, wherein the data plane learning mode allows Layer 2 learning, and wherein the data plane learning mode is used when communicating with hosts behind the data plane learning endpoint;
and
operate in a control plane learning mode when the network packet is received from the control plane learning endpoint, wherein the control plane learning mode disables the Layer 2 learning, and wherein the control plane learning mode is used when communicating with other hosts behind the control plane learning endpoint.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interoperability between data plane learning endpoints and control plane learning endpoints in overlay networks

Life of this patent

Interoperability between data plane learning endpoints and control plane learning endpoints in overlay networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20