Cloud Type Definition
Fully Extensible MPLS Cloud Framework
MPLS Cloud is used to simulate an MPLS network that carries traffics for customer networks at different regions, which enables users to calculate the traffics across the MPLS Cloud to make their network complete in the NetworkBrain system. The Cloud framework is designed to make it a generic with high scalability. The Cloud framework enables NetworkBrain Platform Team to define a cloud-based via JSON and Python so that they can flexibly adjust and develop cloud functions based on network situations.
The new Cloud framework uses the Cloud concept to represent the network connecting to user's network but not managed by users, for different technologies such as VPLS, AWS public service, etc. The new Cloud framework makes the following scenarios (including, but not limited to the following scenarios) supportable:
- Simulating PE-side redundancy deployment scenarios that the CE interface cannot be configured to connect to multiple PE IPs.
- Simulating CE-side redundancy deployment scenarios that multiple CE interfaces cannot be configured to connect to the same PE IP.
- Adding CE interfaces configured with IP unnumbered configuration.
- Being extensible to support the deployment scenarios of Carrier Supporting Carriers (CSC) and Inter-Provider.
- Being extensible to support other cloud technologies, such as VPLS.
Define a new cloud type by NetworkBrain Platform team
Domain administrators can define the cloud type that can be used by end users. Each cloud type is composed of four components, which are used to build the data model for cloud topology and path calculation:
| Component | Description |
| Property | Define which parameters need to be filled in. For an MPLS Cloud, the parameters include PE devices, CE interfaces, and other parameters. |
| NCT | Define the NCT needed by a cloud to calculate the path crossing cloud. For example, the virtual route table for an MPLS Cloud, the virtual MAC table for a VPLS cloud. |
| Topology | Define the logic to calculate the topology for a cloud and its neighbor devices. |
| Icon | Define the Cloud icon displayed in the system. |
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Note: This function is designed for NetworkBrain Platform team, not for end users. After adding or modifying a cloud type, you need to add or adjust the path scripts used to calculate paths for this cloud type. |
To enable users to use the MPLS Cloud function directly, the system offers a built-in “MPLS L3 VPN” cloud type and power users can define an MPLS cloud as usual based on this cloud type.
Example: Built-in Cloud Type for MPLS L3 VPN
See also: