Understanding Cluster over Layer 3
In releases prior to NetVisor OS version 7.0.0, direct links between switch pairs were required for clusters to form and function. This means that you must reserve one or more links between the cluster nodes.
Starting from release 7.0.0, as an option, NetVisor OS supports the formation of switch cluster pairs without requiring any direct Layer 2 connections.
This feature leverages the VXLAN technology and is referred to as “cluster over Layer 3” in short. (Refer to the Configuring VXLAN chapter for more details on the VXLAN technology.)
The implementation of cluster over Layer 3 uses the uplinks connected to the spine nodes (which can be third-party devices) in order to form a cluster pair communicating over a Layer 3 network.
Starting from release 7.0.0, NetVisor OS supports the cluster over Layer 3 feature on the following platforms:
- Freedom (Edgecore): F9480-V (AS7326-56X), F9460-X (AS5835-54X), F9460-T (AS5835-54T)
- Dell: S5200 Series
- Ericsson: NRU03 and NRU-S0301
Starting from release 7.1.0, NetVisor OS adds support for the configuration of cluster over L3 between cluster nodes that are directly interconnected through Layer 3 physical link(s).
Also, starting from release 7.1.0, NetVisor OS supports the automatic configuration of VNIs (i.e., VXLAN IDs) on the cluster over L3 tunnel when the VNIs are added to static tunnels by the administrator (for example, through the tunnel-vxlan-add command).
See the Configuring Cluster over Layer 3 section below for platform support, a deployment model, and the required configuration steps.