ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the key points in the physical network design of a Data Center Network. It focuses on protocols used on such a network, including OSPF or External Border Gateway Protocol (EBGP). A well-designed fabric network can provide consistent access across access nodes. In most cases, either OSPF or EBGP can be used on an underlay network. The EBGP configuration on the underlay network is complex as groups of leaf nodes, and spine nodes need to be allocated to different added services, and full-mesh EBGP connections need to be established between spine and leaf nodes. The egress network design of a Data Center includes connections and configurations between border leaf nodes and premises equipment (PEs) (egress routers). If two interfaces are used for interconnection, PEs are deployed independently and form a square-looped network with active-active border leaf nodes. OSPF is used for transmitting traffic from a PE to an intranet network segment.
