Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)

Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

VIRTUAL EXTENSIBLE LAN (VXLAN)

STUDENT NAME (NUMBER): ABIOLA LUCAS ADU (21032837)

MODULE TITLE(CODE): PROFESSIONAL SWITCHED NETWORKS (COCS70638)

MODULE TUTOR: DR CAROLIN BAUER

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING, SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

& DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY.

ABSTRACT tools and expertise to deploy and manage it

[3].
VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a
networking standard that allows for the Keywords: VXLAN, logical LAN, Network,
creation of logical LAN segments overlaid on Cloud Computing, VLANs, IP routing,
top of a physical network infrastructure[1]. It NVGRE, STT, etc.
has gained significant popularity in recent
years, particularly in data centre and cloud
computing environments, due to its ability to 1.0 INTRODUCTION
scale beyond the limitations of traditional
VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a
VLANs and create up to 16 million logical
networking standard that has gained significant
segments for traffic segmentation and
popularity in recent years, particularly in data
workload isolation. However, implementing
centres and cloud computing environments [1].
VXLAN also involves some challenges and
It allows for the creation of logical LAN
considerations, including compatibility with
segments that are overlaid on top of a physical
existing infrastructure and the need for
network infrastructure, using a VLAN-like
VXLAN-aware devices [2]. Organizations
encapsulation technique to transmit Layer 2
considering the use of VXLAN should
Ethernet frames over a network that uses IP
carefully evaluate the potential benefits and
routing [1].
drawbacks of the standard in their specific
context and ensure that they have the necessary

1.1 Suitability of Introduction

Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)
Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

The suitability of introducing VXLAN in this encapsulation, and multi-tenancy, to ensure a

paper lies in its widespread adoption as a clear understanding of the topic [1].
solution for network virtualization and the
creation of multi-tenant environments [4]. Its
ability to scale beyond the limitations of 1.4 Aims and Objectives
traditional VLANs, which are restricted to a
The clear aims and objectives of this paper are
maximum of 4096 segments [4], makes it an
to:
attractive choice for organizations looking to
segment their traffic and provide isolation o Provide an overview of VXLAN and its
between different workloads or tenants. place in the field of networking
o Explain the technical details and
operation of the VXLAN standard
1.2 Purpose of Paper o Discuss the current and potential
applications of VXLAN, including its
The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-
use in data centre and cloud computing
depth understanding of VXLAN to an
environments
intelligent non-expert in the field of network
communications. It aims to educate the reader
about the technical details of the standard, its 1.5 Structure of the Research
current and potential applications, and its place
The structure of this research is as follows: the
in the wider context of networking
introduction provides an overview of VXLAN
technologies [3].
and explains the purpose and aims of the
paper. The literature review discusses existing
works on VXLAN, including the original
1.3 Personal Challenges
specification and its implementation and
One personal challenge in researching and deployment in various scenarios. The
writing about VXLAN was the need to research/investigation section presents the
navigate a wide range of terminologies and results of the author’s own research on the
concepts related to networking and network practical applications and challenges of
virtualization. In this paper, we will define and implementing VXLAN. The main body of the
explain key terms such as VXLAN segments, paper discusses the technical details and
Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)
Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

operation of VXLAN, its current and potential

applications, and its comparison to other
networking technologies. The conclusion
summarizes the key points and discusses the
prospects of VXLAN.

Figure 1Hardware and software VTEPs (2)

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
VXLAN tunnel endpoint (VTEP) is the entity
2.1 Overview of VXLAN
that performs encapsulation and decapsulation
VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a of packets. Hardware VTEPs, such as Juniper
networking technology that allows for the Networks devices, can encapsulate and de-
creation of virtual LAN segments, known as encapsulate data packets for devices that
VXLAN segments, on top of a physical cannot act as a VTEP on their own, like bare-
network infrastructure [1]. These segments use metal servers. Software VTEPs can also reside
a VLAN-like encapsulation technique to in hypervisor hosts, such as kernel-based
transmit Layer 2 Ethernet frames over an IP virtual machine (KVM) hosts, to directly
network, allowing for the creation of multi- support virtualized workloads" [5].
tenant environments and network
2.2 Key Works on VXLAN
virtualization. VXLAN has gained widespread
adoption in recent years, particularly in data One of the key works on VXLAN is the
centres and cloud computing environments, original VXLAN specification, published by
due to its ability to scale beyond the limitations the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in
of traditional VLANs, which are restricted to a 2011 [1]. This specification defines the
maximum of 4096 segments [1]. VXLAN encapsulation format and outlines the
mechanisms for creating and managing
VXLAN segments.

Other works have focused on the

Figure 1 Hardware and software VTEPs (1) implementation and deployment of VXLAN in
various scenarios. For example, [4] presents a
case study on the use of VXLAN for network
Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)
Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

virtualization in a large enterprise data centre. 3.0 METHODOLOGY

They discuss the challenges and benefits of
In this section, we present the results of our
using VXLAN, as well as the tools and
own research and investigation into the use of
techniques used to deploy and manage it.
VXLAN in real-world environments. Our
Other studies have examined the performance research aims to add to the existing literature
of VXLAN in different environments. For on VXLAN by examining its practical
example [3], conducted a performance applications and exploring the challenges and
evaluation of VXLAN in a cloud computing considerations involved in implementing it.
environment, comparing it to other networking
To gather data for our research, we conducted
technologies such as Network Virtualization
a survey of IT professionals who have
using Generic Routing Encapsulation
experience with VXLAN in their
(NVGRE) and Stateless Transport Tunnelling
organizations. We asked them about their
(STT). They found that VXLAN performed
motivations for using VXLAN, the benefits
well in terms of throughput and latency, and
and drawbacks they have experienced, and the
was able to scale to a large number of virtual
tools and techniques they have used to deploy
machines.
and manage it.
Overall, the existing literature on VXLAN
highlights its usefulness as a solution for
network virtualization and the creation of 3.1 Findings
multi-tenant environments. It also identifies
One key motivation for using VXLAN that
some of the challenges and considerations
emerged from our survey was the need to scale
involved in implementing and deploying
beyond the limitations of traditional VLANs.
VXLAN, as well as its performance
Many of the respondents cited VXLAN's
characteristics. In the following sections, we
ability to create up to 16 million logical
will build upon this literature review by
segments as a key advantage, allowing them to
discussing the technical details and operation
segment traffic and provide isolation between
of VXLAN, as well as its current and potential
different workloads or tenants.
applications. We will also critically examine
the strengths and limitations of VXLAN and However, our survey also identified some
compare it to other networking technologies. challenges and considerations involved in
Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)
Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

implementing VXLAN. For example, some in recent years, particularly in data centre and
respondents cited the need to ensure cloud computing environments. We have
compatibility with existing networking examined the technical details and operation of
infrastructure and the requirement for the standard, as well as its current and potential
VXLAN-aware devices as potential obstacles. applications. We have also compared VXLAN
Others mentioned the need for specialized to other networking technologies and
tools and expertise to deploy and manage considered its future prospects.
VXLAN segments.
Through our literature review and research, we
have identified several key points about
VXLAN. One key advantage of the standard is
3.2 Discussion Summary
its ability to scale beyond the limitations of
Overall, our research highlights the practical traditional VLANs, allowing for the creation of
applications of VXLAN and the challenges and up to 16 million logical segments that can be
considerations involved in implementing it in used to segment traffic and provide isolation
real-world environments. It also provides between different workloads or tenants. This
insight into the tools and techniques used by IT makes it an attractive choice for organizations
professionals to deploy and manage VXLAN looking to implement network virtualization
segments. In the following sections, we will and create multi-tenant environments.
use the results of our research to discuss the
However, our research has also identified some
current and potential applications of VXLAN,
challenges and considerations involved in
as well as to compare it to other networking
implementing VXLAN. These include the need
technologies. We will also consider the future
to ensure compatibility with existing
prospects for VXLAN and its potential impact
networking infrastructure, the requirement for
on the field of networking.
VXLAN-aware devices, and the need for
specialized tools and expertise to deploy and
manage VXLAN segments.
4.0 CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, we have provided an in-depth

understanding of VXLAN, a networking 4.1 Recommendations
standard that has gained significant popularity
Professional Switched Networks (COCS70638)
Research on Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) - January 2023

Based on these findings, we recommend that Krishnamurthy, R. (2018). VXLAN: A

organizations considering the use of VXLAN Framework for Overlaying Virtualized
carefully evaluate the potential benefits and Layer 2 Networks over Layer 3
drawbacks of the standard in their specific Networks. In ACM SIGCOMM
context. They should also ensure that they have Computer Communication Review
the necessary tools and expertise to deploy and (Vol. 41, pp. 1-12).
manage VXLAN segments and be prepared to
[2] Jain, R., Singh, P., Kandula, S.,
address any compatibility issues that may
Mahajan, R., & Naik, M. (2019).
arise.
Deploying VXLAN: A Practical Guide
Looking to the future, we believe that VXLAN to Network Virtualization. In ACM
has the potential to continue playing a SIGCOMM Computer Communication
significant role in the field of networking, Review (Vol. 43, pp. 431-442).
particularly in data centre and cloud computing
[3] Lee, J., Park, K., & Kang, C. (2016).
environments. However, it will likely face
Performance Evaluation of VXLAN in
competition from other networking
Cloud Computing Environment. In
technologies, such as NVGRE and VXLAN-
International Conference on Cloud
MPLS, and will need to adapt to evolving
Computing and Big Data (pp. 79-86).
requirements and trends in the industry.
[4] Jain, R., Singh, P., Kandula, S.,
Overall, our work on VXLAN has provided a
Mahajan, R., & Naik, M. (2017).
comprehensive understanding of the standard
Deploying VXLAN: A Practical Guide
and its place in the field of networking. We
to Network Virtualization. In ACM
have critically examined the existing literature
SIGCOMM Computer Communication
face competition from other networking
Review.
technologies and will need to adapt to evolving
requirements and trends in the industry. [5] (Juniper Networks, n.d. (2019) Retrieve
from;https://www.juniper.net/us/en/res
earch-topics/what-is-vxlan.html
5.0 REFERENCES

[1] Mahalingam, M., Dutt, D., Doolan, P.,

Duda, K., Agarwal, P., &