Geneve: Generic Network Virtualization Encapsulation

This proposal has been accepted as a session.

*

One Line Summary

Implementing a network virtualization encapsulation protocol flexible enough for now and the future.

Abstract

Network virtualization involves the cooperation of devices with a wide variety of capabilities such as software and hardware tunnel endpoints, transit fabrics, and centralized control clusters. As a result of their role in tying together different elements in the system, the requirements on tunnels are influenced by all of these components. Flexibility is therefore the most important aspect of a tunnel protocol if it is keep pace with the evolution of the system.

Geneve is a new encapsulation protocol that aims to meet these needs as network virtualization matures and is endorsed by all of the major hypervisor vendors. This discussion will focus on efficiently implementations of it in Linux and ways to take advantage of forthcoming hardware offloads.

Speaker