Reference Architecture For Improved Scalability Of Virtual Data Center Resources
In an embodiment, a method for operating a data center includes interconnecting a hierarchy of networking devices comprising physical networking devices and virtual networking devices, such that physical networking devices are located at two or more higher levels in the hierarchy, and the virtual networking devices are located in at least one lower levels of the hierarchy. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) are terminated only in physical networking devices located at the lowest of the two or more higher levels in the hierarchy.
1 . A method for operating a data center comprising:
interconnecting a hierarchy of networking devices comprising physical networking devices and virtual networking devices, such that physical networking devices are located at two or more higher levels in the hierarchy, and such that the virtual networking devices are located in at least one lower levels of the hierarchy; and
terminating Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) only in physical networking devices located at the lowest of the two or more higher levels in the hierarchy.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining Layer 2 separation with VLANs in at least one virtual networking device.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the physical networking devices include one or more data center routers, distribution layer switches and top-of-rack switches.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the virtual networking devices include one or more virtual switches and customer virtual routers.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising terminating the physical networking devices located at levels higher than the level that terminates VLANs in one or more provider protocols.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising terminating the physical networking devices located at levels higher than the level that terminates VLANs in one or more Layer 3 protocols.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the hierarchy comprises three levels, with a carrier block located at a top level, plural point of delivery (POD) access blocks located at a middle level and plural customer access blocks located at a bottom level; the carrier block comprising at least one data center router and north bound ports of at least one distribution layer switch; each POD access block comprising one or more south bound ports of the at least one distribution layer switch, plural top-of-rack switches, and north bound ports of plural virtual switches; each customer access block comprising one of the plural virtual switches, a customer virtual router and plural virtual resources.
8 . The method of claim 7 further comprising connecting each customer virtual router to corresponding interface IP addresses in corresponding VPN routing/forwarding instances on the distribution layer switch using a border gateway protocol.
9 . A data center system comprising:
plural physical networking devices;
plural virtual networking devices;
wherein the physical networking devices and the virtual networking devices are interconnected in a hierarchy in which physical networking devices are located at two or more higher levels in the hierarchy, the virtual networking devices are located in at least one lower level of the hierarchy, and in which only physical networking devices located at the lowest of the two or more higher levels are configured to terminate Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs).
10 . The data center system of claim 9 configured such that Layer 2 separation with VLANs is maintained in at least one virtual networking device.
11 . The data center system of claim 9 in which the physical networking devices include one or more data center routers, distribution layer switches and top-of-rack switches.
12 . The data center system of claim 9 in which the virtual networking devices include one or more virtual switches and customer virtual routers.
13 . The data center system of claim 9 in which the physical networking devices located at levels higher than the level that terminates VLANs terminate in one or more provider protocols.
14 . The data center system of claim 9 in which the physical networking devices located at levels higher than the level that terminates VLANs terminate in one or more Layer 3 protocols.
15 . The data center system of claim 9 in which the hierarchy comprises three levels, with a carrier block located at a top level, plural point of delivery (POD) access blocks located at a middle level and plural customer access blocks located at a bottom level; the carrier block comprising at least one data center router and north bound ports of at least one distribution layer switch; each POD access block comprising one or more south bound ports of the at least one distribution layer switch, plural top-of-rack switches, and north bound ports of plural virtual switches; each customer access block comprising one of the plural virtual switches, a customer virtual router and plural virtual resources.
16 . The data center of claim 15 in which each customer virtual router is connected to corresponding interface IP addresses in corresponding VPN routing/forwarding instances on the distribution layer switch using a border gateway protocol.