Routing traffic for virtualized/containerized network functions

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising:
• storing, in a data structure of the system, an association between:
• (i) a first media access control (MAC) address associated with a first instance of a network function, and (ii) a second MAC address associated with a first namespace of the system;
• and
• storing, in the data structure of the system, an association between:
• (i) a third MAC address associated with a second instance of the network function, and (ii) a fourth MAC address associated with a second namespace of the system;
• receiving a first address resolution protocol (ARP) request from the first instance of the network function;
• determining, based at least in part on the first ARP request, the first MAC address;
• determining, from the data structure, that the first MAC address is associated with the second MAC address;
• sending, to the first instance of the network function, a response to the first ARP request, the response to the first ARP request specifying the second MAC address;
• receiving a second ARP request from the second instance of the network function;
• determining, based at least in part on the second ARP request, the third MAC address;
• determining, from the data structure, that the third MAC address is associated with the fourth MAC address;
• and
• sending, to the second instance of the network function, a response to the second ARP request, the response to the second ARP request specifying the fourth MAC address.

A method comprising:

• storing, in a data structure, an association between:
• (i) a first media access control (MAC) address associated with a first instance of a network function, and (ii) a second MAC address associated with a first namespace;
• and
• storing, in the data structure, an association between:
• (i) a third MAC address associated with a second instance of the network function, and (ii) a fourth MAC address associated with a second namespace;
• receiving a first address resolution protocol (ARP) request from the first instance of the network function;
• determining, based at least in part on the first ARP request, the first MAC address;
• determining, from the data structure, that the first MAC address is associated with the second MAC address;
• sending, to the first instance of the network function, a response to the first ARP request, the response to the first ARP request specifying the second MAC address;
• receiving a second ARP request from the second instance of the network function;
• determining, based at least in part on the second ARP request, the third MAC address;
• determining, from the data structure, that the third MAC address is associated with the fourth MAC address;
• and
• sending, to the second instance of the network function, a response to the second ARP request, the response to the second ARP request specifying the fourth MAC address.