Implement VxLAN/EVPN to MPLS/SR Handoff in Nexus 9000

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Updated:July 8, 2020

Document ID:215785

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Background Information

Advantages of SR

Guidelines and Limitations to Configure Seamless Integration of EVPN with L3VPN (MPLS SR)

Introduction

This document describes how to configure VxLAN EVPN over Segment Routing MPLS handoff on Cisco Nexus 9000 series switches.

Prerequisites

Requirements

Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:

MPLS Layer 3 VPNs
MP-BGP
Segment Routing

Components Used

The information in this document is based on these software and hardware versions:

BL // N9K-C93240YC-FX2 // 9.3(3)
ASR1K // 16.12.02
Spine-1 // N9K-C92160YC-X // 9.2(3)
PE // N9K-C93240YC-FX2 // 9.3(3)

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Background Information

Data Center (DC) deployments have adopted VXLAN EVPN for its benefits such as EVPN control-plane learning, multitenancy, seamless mobility, redundancy, and easier POD additions. Similarly, the CORE is either a Label Distribution Protocol (LDP)-based MPLS L3VPN network or transitioning from the traditional MPLS L3VPN LDP-based underlay to a more sophisticated solution like Segment Routing (SR).

Segment routing is a method of forwarding packets on the network based on the source routing paradigm. The source chooses a path and encodes it in the packet header as an ordered list of segments. Segments are an identifier for any type of instruction.

Advantages of SR

Segment Routing is adopted for its benefits such as:

Unified IGP MPLS control planes.
Ready for SDN: Segment routing was built for SDN and is the foundation for Application Engineered Routing (AER). SR prepares networks for business models, where applications can direct network behavior. SR provides the right balance between distributed intelligence and centralized optimization and programming.
Minimal configuration: Segment routing for TE requires minimal configuration on the source router.
Load balancing: Unlike in RSVP-TE, load balancing for segment routing can take place in the presence of Equal Cost Multiple Paths (ECMPs).
Supports Fast Reroute (FRR): Fast reroute enables the activation of a pre-configured backup path within 50 milliseconds of a path failure.
Plug-and-Play deployment: Segment routing policies are interoperable with existing MPLS control and data planes and can be implemented in an existing deployment.

Guidelines and Limitations to Configure Seamless Integration of EVPN with L3VPN (MPLS SR)

Feature	Cisco Nexus 9300-FX2 Switches	Cisco Nexus 9504 and 9508 switches with -R Line Cards	Comments
VXLAN EVPN to SR-L3VPN	Yes	Yes	Extend Layer 3 connectivity between different DC pods Underlay IGP/BGP with SR extensions.
VXLAN EVPN to SR-L3VPN	Yes	Yes	Extend Layer 3 connectivity between DC POD that runs VXLAN and any domain (DC or CORE) that runs SR.
VXLAN EVPN to MPLS L3VPN (LDP)	No	Yes	Underlay is LDP.