Path-ping and ecmp-traceroute for ipv6 overlay virtualized networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate as an ingress network virtualization edge (NVE) in a computer network;
• a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes;
• and
• a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to:
• generate an echo packet;
• set an indication in the echo packet that the echo packet is for overlay path validation;
• set a message type of the echo packet to a generic echo request;
• include virtualization network (VN) context information within the echo packet;
• set a destination address of the echo packet as an egress NVE address and including an indication to the egress NVE that the echo packet is an operations, administration, and management (OAM) message;
• and
• send the echo packet toward the egress NVE.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software, when executed by a processor on an ingress network virtualization edge (NVE) in a computer network, operable to:

• generate an echo packet;
• set an indication in the echo packet that the echo packet is for overlay path validation;
• set a message type of the echo packet to a generic echo request;
• include virtualization network (VN) context information within the echo packet;
• set a destination address of the echo packet as an egress NVE address and including an indication to the egress NVE that the echo packet is an operations, administration, and management (OAM) message;
• and
• send the echo packet toward the egress NVE.