Introducing the Data Center Fabric Blueprint Architecture
Data Center Fabric Blueprint Architecture Introduction
This section provides an introduction to the Data Center Fabric Blueprint Architecture.
It includes the following sections.
The Next Act for Data Center Networks
For truly cloud-native workloads that have no dependency on Ethernet broadcast, multicast, segmentation, multitenancy, or workload mobility, the best solution is typically a simple IP fabric network. When a unique workload instance requires mobility, the current host system can advertise the unique IP address of the workload. This can be performed with EBGP route exchange between the host system and the ToR. However, support for BUM and multitenancy require more advanced network functions. This is where overlays are added.
Over its evolution the data center network was a function of the demands and expectations placed on it. As the nature of workloads changed, the network had to adapt. Each solution simplified a set of problems by trading one form of complexity and cost for another. The cloud network is no different. In the end, bits must be moved from point A to point B reliably, securely, and at the desired throughput. Where operators need a single network to serve more than one purpose (the multiservice cloud network), they can add network-layer segmentation and other functions to share the infrastructure across diverse groups of endpoints and tenants. Operational simplicity is achieved with a centralized controller that implements an intent model that is consistent with the cloud scale functions of the network layer. Technical simplicity is achieved using a reduced set of building blocks that are based on open standards and homogeneous across the end-to-end network.
This guide introduces a building block approach to creating multiservice cloud networks on the foundation of a modern IP fabric. The Juniper Networks solutions team will systematically review the set of building blocks required for an agile network, focus on specific, state-of-the-art, open standards-based technology that enables each function, and add new functionality to the guide as it becomes available in future software releases.
All the building blocks are fully synergistic and you can combine any of the building blocks with any other to satisfy a diverse set of use cases simultaneously — this is the hallmark of the cloud. You should consider how you can leverage the building blocks in this guide to achieve the use cases that are relevant to your network.
Building Blocks
The guide organizes the technologies used to build multiservice cloud network architectures into modular building blocks. Each building block includes features that either must be implemented together to build the network, are often implemented together because they provide complementary functionality, or are presented together to provide choices for particular technologies.
This blueprint architecture includes required building blocks and optional building blocks. The optional building blocks can be added or removed to support the needs of a specific multiservice data center fabric network.
This guide walks you through the design and technology choices associated with each building block, and provides information designed to help you choose the building blocks that best meet the needs for your multiservice data center fabric network. The guide also provides the implementation procedures for each building block.
The currently-supported building blocks include:
IP Fabric Underlay Network
Network Virtualization Overlays
Centrally-Routed Bridging Overlay
Edge-Routed Bridging Overlay
Routed Overlay
Multihoming
Multihoming of Ethernet-connected End Systems
Multihoming of IP-connected End Systems
Data Center Interconnect (DCI)
Service Chaining
Multicast
Ingress Virtual Machine Traffic Optimization
DHCP Relay
Proxy ARP
Layer 2 Port Security
Additional building blocks will be added to this guide as support for the technology becomes available and is validated by the Juniper Networks testing team.
Each building block is discussed in more detail in Data Center Fabric Blueprint Architecture Components.
For information about the hardware and software that serve as a foundation to your building blocks, see Data Center EVPN-VXLAN Fabric Reference Designs—Supported Hardware Summary.