Juniper Exam JN0-683 Topic 5 Question 22 Discussion

Load Balancing in VXLAN:

VXLAN uses UDP encapsulation to transport Layer 2 frames over an IP network. For load balancing across Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) links, various fields in the packet can be used to ensure even distribution of traffic.

Key Load Balancing Fields:

C . The source port in the UDP header is used to load balance VXLAN traffic: This is correct. The source UDP port in the VXLAN packet is typically calculated based on a hash of the inner packet's fields. This makes the source port vary between packets, enabling effective load balancing across multiple paths.

D . The inner packet fields are used in the hash for load balancing: This is also correct. Fields such as the source and destination IP addresses, source and destination MAC addresses, and possibly even higher-layer protocol information from the inner packet can be used to generate the hash that determines the ECMP path.

Incorrect Statements:

A . The inner packet fields are not used in the hash for load balancing: This is incorrect as the inner packet fields are indeed critical for generating the hash used in load balancing.

B . The destination port in the UDP header is used to load balance VXLAN traffic: This is incorrect because the destination UDP port in VXLAN packets is typically fixed (e.g., port 4789 for VXLAN), and therefore cannot be used for effective load balancing.

Data Center Reference:

Effective load balancing in VXLAN is crucial for ensuring high throughput and avoiding congestion on specific links. By using a combination of the source UDP port and inner packet fields, the network can distribute traffic evenly across available paths.