Route distinguishers for same destination path diversity
This disclosure describes techniques for using multiple route distinguishers assigned to a single VRF to provide same-destination path diversity in a VPN. In an example, a method includes storing, by a device, to a single virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of one or more VRFs configured for a network device of a network, a plurality of routes for a common address prefix of a virtual private network (VPN); and sending, by the device to a network router, each of the plurality of routes for the common address prefix with a different, corresponding route distinguisher.
1 . A device comprising:
processing circuitry having access to memory configured with instructions that, when executed, cause the processing circuitry to:
configure a plurality of route distinguishers for a single virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of one or more VRFs configured for a network device of a network;
store, for the single VRF, a plurality of routes for a common address prefix of a virtual private network (VPN); and
output, to a network router, each of the plurality of routes for the common address prefix with a different, corresponding route distinguisher drawn from the plurality of route distinguishers.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises one of the network device or a network controller.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of routes specifies a different next hop for the common address prefix, wherein the next hop indicates an interface of the device.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein to configure the plurality of route distinguishers for the single VRF, the instructions cause the processing circuitry to specify a list that includes the plurality of route distinguishers.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein to configure the plurality of route distinguishers for the single VRF, the instructions cause the processing circuitry to define a range of values for the plurality of route distinguishers.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein to configure the plurality of route distinguishers for the single VRF, the instructions cause the processing circuitry to specify a maximum number of route distinguishers for the single VRF.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions cause the processing circuitry to execute a virtual router that operates as a provider edge device (PE) for the network.
8 . The device of claim 1 ,
wherein the device comprises the network device, and
wherein the network device operates as a provider edge device (PE) for the network.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions cause the processing circuitry to:
receive a packet forwarded to the device according to a first route of the plurality of routes; and
forward the packet to a next hop specified by the first route.
10 . A method comprising:
configuring a plurality of route distinguishers for a single virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of one or more VRFs configured for a network device of a network;
storing, by a device, for the single VRF, a plurality of routes for a common address prefix of a virtual private network (VPN); and
outputting, by the device to a network router, each of the plurality of routes for the common address prefix with a different, corresponding route distinguisher drawn from the plurality of route distinguishers.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the device comprises one of the network device or a network controller.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of routes specifies a different next hop for the common address prefix, wherein the next hop indicates an interface of the device.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the configuring comprises providing a list that includes the plurality of route distinguishers.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the configuring comprises defining a range of values for the plurality of route distinguishers.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the configuring comprises providing at least one pre-defined route distinguisher.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the device comprises the network device, and wherein the network device operates as a provider edge device (PE) for the network.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving a packet forwarded to the device according to a first route of the plurality of routes; and forwarding the packet to a next hop specified by the first route.
18 . Non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed, cause processing circuitry to:
configure a plurality of route distinguishers for a single virtual routing and forwarding instance (VRF) of one or more VRFs configured for a network device of a network;
store, for the single VRF, a plurality of routes for a common address prefix of a virtual private network (VPN); and
output, to a network router, each of the plurality of routes for the common address prefix with a different, corresponding route distinguisher drawn from the plurality of route distinguishers.