Integrating EVPN with VXLAN for Layer 2 data center interconnect

Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) is a technology that provides intra data center connectivity using a tunneling scheme to stretch Layer 2 connections over an intervening Layer 3 network. The Ethernet VPN (EVPN) technology, on the other hand, provides a solution for multipoint Layer 2 VPN services with advanced multihoming capabilities, using BGP control plane over MPLS/IP network. Although several solutions are available for data center connectivity, the integration of EVPN with VXLAN, provides an added advantage over the existing MPLS data center interconnect (DCI) technologies. EVPN provides mechanisms for next generation DCI by adding extended control plane procedures to exchange Layer 2 MAC address and Layer 3 IP address information among the participating Data Center Border Routers (DCBRs). EVPN with its advanced features like active-active redundancy, aliasing, and mass MAC withdrawal helps in addressing the DCI challenges, such as seamless VM mobility and optimal IP routing, thus making it essential to provide VXLAN solutions over EVPN.