Get rid of N5K Datacenter Fabricpath

[Serpent2010]

Good day,

I am planning to get rid of the N5K Datacenter Fabricpath to be replaced with Nexus 9K.

of course, VPC will be in place for the N9K but what will be the best replacement for the Fabricpath replacement.

1- Migrating Cisco FabricPath Environments to VXLAN BGP EVPN; or 

2- ACI

Any input is appreciated

[AshSe]

Hi @Serpent2010 

When planning to replace Cisco FabricPath in your N5K datacenter with Nexus 9K switches, both VXLAN BGP EVPN and ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) are viable options. The best choice depends on your organization's specific requirements, goals, and operational preferences. Here's a breakdown of both options to help you decide:

---

1. Migrating to VXLAN BGP EVPN

VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) with BGP EVPN (Border Gateway Protocol Ethernet VPN) is a standards-based approach to building scalable Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks. It is often considered the natural evolution of FabricPath.

Advantages:

1. Scalability: VXLAN BGP EVPN provides a highly scalable solution for Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity across the datacenter.
2. Standards-Based: It is an open standard, which means it can interoperate with other vendors' equipment if needed.
3. Flexibility: VXLAN BGP EVPN is a more traditional network design approach, allowing you to maintain control over the network configuration and design.
4. Ease of Migration: If you're already familiar with traditional networking concepts, VXLAN BGP EVPN is easier to adopt compared to ACI.
5. Cost-Effective: VXLAN BGP EVPN does not require additional licensing costs like ACI, making it a more cost-effective solution.
6. Operational Simplicity: It allows you to maintain a more traditional operational model, which may be easier for teams already familiar with FabricPath.

Use Case:

• If you want to maintain a traditional network operational model.
• If you prefer a simpler, standards-based approach without the need for a full policy-driven architecture.
• If you have a smaller or medium-sized datacenter and do not require the advanced automation and policy features of ACI.

---

2. Migrating to Cisco ACI

Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) is Cisco's software-defined networking (SDN) solution. It provides a policy-driven approach to managing datacenter networks and is designed for modern, application-centric environments.

Advantages:

1. Policy-Driven Architecture: ACI allows you to define policies for applications and automate network provisioning, making it ideal for modern, dynamic workloads.
2. Automation and Orchestration: ACI integrates with orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes, VMware, OpenStack) and provides advanced automation capabilities.
3. Centralized Management: ACI uses the APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) for centralized management, simplifying operations.
4. Microsegmentation: ACI provides built-in microsegmentation for enhanced security.
5. Future-Proofing: ACI is designed for modern datacenters and cloud-native applications, making it a good choice for organizations planning to adopt hybrid or multi-cloud environments.

Use Case:

1. If you are looking for a modern, policy-driven architecture.
2. If you want to automate network provisioning and management.
3. If you have a large-scale datacenter or are planning to adopt hybrid/multi-cloud environments.
4. If you need advanced security features like microsegmentation.

Considerations:

• ACI has a steeper learning curve compared to VXLAN BGP EVPN.
• ACI requires additional licensing and investment in the APIC controllers.
• It may require a shift in operational mindset, as it is more application-focused than traditional networking.

---

Key Factors to Consider:

1. Operational Model:

   • If you prefer a traditional networking model, go with VXLAN BGP EVPN.
   • If you are ready to adopt a policy-driven, application-centric model, choose ACI.

2. Budget:

   • VXLAN BGP EVPN is more cost-effective since it does not require additional controllers or licensing.
   • ACI requires investment in APIC controllers and licensing.

3. Scalability and Future Needs:

   • Both solutions are scalable, but ACI is better suited for large-scale, modern datacenters with dynamic workloads.
   • If you plan to integrate with cloud environments or adopt microsegmentation, ACI is the better choice.

4. Team Expertise:

   • If your team is already familiar with traditional networking concepts, VXLAN BGP EVPN will be easier to adopt.
   • If your team is ready to learn and adopt SDN concepts, ACI can provide long-term benefits.

---

Recommendation:

• If you are looking for a cost-effective, standards-based solution that is easy to implement and aligns with traditional networking models, go with VXLAN BGP EVPN.
• If you are planning for a modern, application-centric datacenter with advanced automation, orchestration, and security features, and are willing to invest in the learning curve and additional costs, choose ACI.

---

Migration Path:

Regardless of the choice, you can start by deploying Nexus 9K switches in NX-OS mode (for VXLAN BGP EVPN) or ACI mode (for ACI). If you're unsure, you can start with VXLAN BGP EVPN and later migrate to ACI, as Nexus 9K switches support both modes.

Hope This Helps!!!

AshSe

Forum Tips: 

1. Insert photos/images inline - don't attach.
2. Always mark helpful and correct answers, it helps others find what they need.
3. For a prompt reply, kindly tag @name. An email will be automatically sent to the member.