DC design question: L2 extension. A-VPLS? OTV? Link?

[Luciano Vigano']

Ciao a tutti,

during a redesign phase of 2 datacenters (locate 500mt one from the other), we are wondring what use to extend the L2.

All devices are 6500 in VSS (excluding the 2 at the top which are 4500), no problem on link to be used (it's a campus, I think we have more or less 20 dark FO).

In RED: L3 PtP MEC

In BLUE: L2 link

A solution proposed is in the file sol_one: L3 ptp in nord-sud (via EIGRP, and it's ok), L2 via dark fiber in est-ovest ... extendig the L2 domain with STP and VTP (!!).

We think about placing a couple of N7004 with OTV and then stretch vlans (sol_two).

We think also to use AVPLS but it seems that it's more difficult to be configured (and more expensive).

Any help is appreciate.

L.

[Marwan ALshawi]

well by having pair of nexus 7K in each DC you will  be able to utilize OTV over the p2p links between the two DCs as a data center interconnect DCI

this DCI need to be L3 link

OTV need to be in its own VDC using M1/M2 line card

th eL3 DCI can be used for normal routed traffic between the DCs (none stretched L2 VLANs ) also the VLANs need to be stretched can pass through the OTV VDC and back to the L3 DCI links

you may consider using OTV in unicast-transport only over multicast if its only p2p DCI link

please refer to the folowing link for some more details

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Data_Center/DCI/whitepaper/DCI_1.html#wp1186215

OTV deployment is pretty simple and all what you need is to plan it well in terms of Hardware required, software and interaction between OTV peers

OTV also support load sharing when you have two edge devices like in your case where odd VLANs go through one device and even VLANs go through the other one

not to mention there are more other benifit that you can gain from OTV such as:

• No requirements to forward unknown unicast frames
• Control Plane Learning with proactive MAC advertisement
• ARP cache maintained in Edge Device by snooping ARP replies
• Total isolation of the STP domain
• HSRP localisation support

hope this helps

[Luciano Vigano']

Ciao,

thanks, that is clear now :-)

No OTV support on F2 linecard?

What do you think, instead, about the 1st solution and the solution with AVPLS?

Ciao e grazie!

L.

[Marwan ALshawi]

happy to help

currently OTV is supported in the M series line cards and Cisco ASRs 1K routers

be aware that if you have M and F2 with OTV requirements in the same chassis you may end up with at least 3 VDCs one for F2 and second one for M none-OTV ports and  a third VDC for OVT from the M line card

have a look at the flowing link to se which one could be the most suited technology for LAN extension DCI

Technology Comparison: Cisco Overlay Transport Virtualization and Virtual Private LAN Service as Enablers of LAN Extensions

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9402/white_paper_c11-574984.html

hope this help

if helpful rate

[Marwan ALshawi · Accepted solution]

Let me know if you need anymore assistance in this topic and make sure your rate the helpful posts

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