VxLAN | Part 3 - Spine Leaf Topology

#SpineLeaf topology (architecture) creates a routed network fabric, often used in the data center. This may be used for normal traffic, or SDN, such as Cisco's ACI. This may also be known as a Clos fabric.

You may be familiar with the traditional network hierarchy. This is topology that uses core, distribution, and access layers. This is especially useful in the campus.

In the data centre, and especially with #VxLAN, we can benefit from another architecture, called spine leaf. This may also be known as a #fabric, or a clos network.

The spine layer is used for transport. The leaves are where the VTEPs and VNI’s are. This is also where encapsulation is used to build the stateless tunnels, creating the overlay.

The underlay uses routing technology like OSPF, EIGRP, and ECMP. vPC may even be used for multihoming hosts.

This training video is the introduction to the spine/leaf topology.


I also suggest reading ‘Building Data Centers with VXLAN BGP EVPN’ by Lukas Krattiger
https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=RL4E*8CmbSY&offerid=145238.2463561&type=2&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ciscopress.com%2Ftitle%2F9781587144677


Part 1: Fundamentals - An introduction or primer into the basic concepts and terminology. For example, VxLAN vs VLAN, and host vs gateway. https://youtu.be/YNqKDI_bnPM

Part 2: Header Format - Follow the packet flow to see the headers added to a frame. https://youtu.be/jjr8aIIRkYc

Part 3: Spine Leaf Topology - Looks at the hierarchical architecture, and compares it to the newer spine leaf topology. https://youtu.be/x1F-RCW9fqo

Part 4: Address Learning - BUM traffic, data plane or control plane learning, multicast, and ingress replication.
https://youtu.be/Do6G9w_DjJ4

Part 5: Bridging Configuration - A technical deep dive into flood-and-learn (bridging) and multicast configuration on Cisco Nexus 9000 switches.
https://youtu.be/PbklbQCmsbc

Part 6: BGP EVPN Configuration - A technical deep dive into control plane learning (BGP EVPN) and Ingress replication configuration on Cisco Nexus 9000 switches.
https://youtu.be/D9k9_hRdrGc

This video is also helpful in CCNA Data Center, CCNP Data Center, and CCIE Data Center.
200-155, DCICT
200-150, DCICN
300-180, DCIT
300-160, DCID
300-165, DCII

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