VNI (VXLAN Network Identifier) vs VNID (Virtual Network Identifier)

[vv0bbLeS]

Hello all,

VNI (VXLAN Network Identifier) vs VNID (Virtual Network Identifier) - are these two terms for the same thing? I assume that when I create a new Virtual Network, that gets mapped to a specific VXLAN ID, so that the Virtual Network ID and the VXLAN Network Identifier are the same, correct?

[Ben Weber · Accepted solution]

AFAIK in the Cisco context, they are referring to the same thing. In this breakout, the terms 'VXLAN Network Identifier' and 'Virtual Network Identifier' are used interchangeably. https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2023/pdf/BRKTRS-2000.pdf

The VXLAN Network Identifier comes from RF 7348 and is the actual value used in the packet header to identify the network. The Cisco implementation of the protocol seems to use the two terms interchangeably.

If you use multiple L2 VNIs in the same VN, they will use different VXLAN Network IDs when encapsulating their packets (with the value equivalent to the L2 VNI).

[M02@rt37 · Accepted solution]

Hello @vv0bbLeS 

When you create a virtual network, it get mapped 1:1 to a VXLAN VNI...

“VNI” is the protocol field and “VNID” is often the management or controler’s way of referencing it...