Route-Target Export/Import Relationships

The VPN View also shows route target export/import relationships that exist between VPNs. A visual picture helps the network planner or engineer to clearly and quickly identify relationships between VPNs (e.g. hub-and-spoke or extranet VPN relationships). When there are export/import relationships with other VPNs, then the To Import/Export Relation View selection in the upper right-hand corner of the VPN View becomes visible. The following figure shows that VPN HUB_AO has export/import relationships with other VPNs, since the To Import/Export Relation View selection is visible.

Figure 1: Click on To Import/Export Relation View to see import/export relationships with other VPNs Network management interface showing Layer 3 VPNs. VPN list includes CASTOR and HUB_AO. HUB_AO topology diagram displays routers P1, P2, P22, P33 linked to AS 65101. Options for actions like adding or modifying entries.

Network management interface showing Layer 3 VPNs. VPN list includes CASTOR and HUB_AO. HUB_AO topology diagram displays routers P1, P2, P22, P33 linked to AS 65101. Options for actions like adding or modifying entries.

Click on To Import/Export Relation View to get to the Import/Export Relation View. The blue circle icon with a triangle inside is a grouping icon represents the current VPN (HUB_A0), while the yellow dot icons represent other VPNs (in this example, the SPOKEPPL_* VPNs) that have export/import relationships with the current VPN.

To see how other VPNs (the yellow dots) are related to the current VPN, you can click on a yellow dot to see the route targets that are being exported and imported. For instance the following figure shows that VPN SPOKEPPL_7 is exporting 65101:65001 and importing 65101:65008, while HUB_A0 is exporting 65101:65008 and importing 65101:65001. The Import/Export Relation View allows you to clearly see relationships between VPNs. Note that you can go back to the regular VPN View by clicking on To VPN View.

Figure 2: Click on another VPN (a yellow dot) to see its relationship to the current VPN Screenshot of a network management interface for IP VPNs showing Layer 3 VPNs with focus on VPN named HUB_AO. Highlighted node SPOKEPPL_7 with export route target 65101:65001 and import route target 65101:65008.

Screenshot of a network management interface for IP VPNs showing Layer 3 VPNs with focus on VPN named HUB_AO. Highlighted node SPOKEPPL_7 with export route target 65101:65001 and import route target 65101:65008.

The right-click menu of the Import/Export Relation View gives you the option to expand the currently collapsed VPN (HUB_AO) which is represented by the blue circle icon with a triangle in it. Selecting Expand All would reveal all the nodes with in the VPN.

Figure 3: Right-click menu in the Import/Export Relation View Graphical representation of an IP VPN topology in a network tool. Hub-and-spoke layout with a central hub node and surrounding spoke nodes. Lists VPNs, routing info, and action options.

Graphical representation of an IP VPN topology in a network tool. Hub-and-spoke layout with a central hub node and surrounding spoke nodes. Lists VPNs, routing info, and action options.

The following figure shows you the Import/Export Relation View with the nodes in VPN HUB_AO expanded.

Figure 4: Import/Export Relation View with nodes of VPN HUB_AO expanded Layer 3 VPN topology labeled HUB_AO with hierarchical VPN list and graphical representation showing endpoints as yellow circles and PE routers as blue squares.

Layer 3 VPN topology labeled HUB_AO with hierarchical VPN list and graphical representation showing endpoints as yellow circles and PE routers as blue squares.

You can also move the icons around. Control-click to select multiple icons.

Instead of the visual display showing the import/export relationships that is in the Import/Export Relation View, you can also access the same information in table form. As shown in the following figure, you would choose Show Relations in Table Form from the right-click menu.

Figure 5: Show Relations in Table Form from the r-click menu for VPN MGMT_VPN Layer 3 VPN topology showing VPN connections to a PE router, routing policies, and a context menu with node options.

Layer 3 VPN topology showing VPN connections to a PE router, routing policies, and a context menu with node options.

Once Show Relations in Table Form is chosen, the Export/Import table for the VPN is shown.

Figure 6: Export /Import table for VPN MGMT_VPN Import/Export relationships for VPN MGMT_VPN showing PE routers, route targets for Exports and Imports, and VPN names.

Import/Export relationships for VPN MGMT_VPN showing PE routers, route targets for Exports and Imports, and VPN names.

In instances when there are a large number of export/import relations and you click on To Import/Export Relation View, you will be prompted with the “This map could take a long time to calculate and display.” message. If you would be willing to wait and still want to see the export/import relations in graphical form, then click on “Click here if you want to proceed.” Instead, you may choose to view the import/export relations in table form, as described in the previous step.

Figure 7: A particular VPN could have a large number of export/import relations with other VPNs Layer 3 VPN interface for VPN_PISCATAWAY with 97 Provider Edge devices and options for VPN Topology and Detailed views.

Layer 3 VPN interface for VPN_PISCATAWAY with 97 Provider Edge devices and options for VPN Topology and Detailed views.

The Report Manager includes a VPN Export-Import report under Network Reports > VPN, as shown in the following figure, that shows all of the route target export/import relationships that exist between VPNs in the network.

Figure 8: VPN Export-Import report Report Manager interface for analyzing and managing network configurations with categories like Layer 3 Network Reports and VPN. Data table shows VPN Export-Import details with columns for VPN endpoints and routing info. Toolbar includes options for exploring and sorting data.

Report Manager interface for analyzing and managing network configurations with categories like Layer 3 Network Reports and VPN. Data table shows VPN Export-Import details with columns for VPN endpoints and routing info. Toolbar includes options for exploring and sorting data.