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Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation

Network virtualisation technology

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
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Source updated October 18, 2022

Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE) is a network virtualization technology that attempts to alleviate the scalability problems associated with large cloud computing deployments. It uses Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) to tunnel layer 2 packets over layer 3 networks. Its principal backer is Microsoft.

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This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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VXLAN

Virtual Extensible Local Area Network is a network virtualization technology that uses a VLAN-like encapsulation technique to encapsulate OSI layer 2 Ethernet frames within layer 4 UDP datagrams, using 4789 as the default IANA-assigned destination UDP port number, although many implementations that predate the IANA assignment use port 8472. VXLAN attempts to address the scalability problems associated with large cloud computing deployments.

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