Extreme Data Center (VOSS/VSP) key terms

VSP Operating System, the modular software image running on Extreme VSP switches that provides Fabric Connect, SPB, and traditional switching and routing features through a single CLI.

Virtual Services Platform, Extreme's data center switch family that runs VOSS and acts as a Fabric Connect node, supporting SPB backbone and access roles.

Extreme's implementation of SPB-based network virtualization that delivers Layer 2 and Layer 3 services over a single link-state fabric, replacing Spanning Tree and per-hop configuration with edge-only provisioning.

Shortest Path Bridging, an IEEE 802.1aq standard that uses IS-IS link-state routing to build a loop-free multipath Ethernet fabric and carries services in I-SIDs over MAC-in-MAC encapsulation.

Intermediate System to Intermediate System, the link-state routing protocol used inside a Fabric Connect network to advertise node, link, and service reachability and compute shortest paths.

Shortest Path Bridging MAC mode, the 802.1aq variant used by Fabric Connect that encapsulates customer Ethernet frames in a backbone MAC header and forwards them on IS-IS-computed paths.

Backbone Core Bridge, a fabric node that forwards traffic between backbone links based on backbone MAC and nickname information but hosts no service access ports of its own.

Backbone Edge Bridge, a fabric node that attaches customer VLANs or IP interfaces to I-SIDs and encapsulates or decapsulates traffic entering and leaving the SPB backbone.

A short numeric identifier assigned to each fabric node that IS-IS advertises and that is embedded in backbone MAC addresses, giving every switch a unique address for SPB forwarding.

The unique IS-IS identifier of a fabric node, typically derived from a MAC address or configured manually, used to form adjacencies and identify the switch in the link-state database.

Backbone Service Instance Identifier, a 24-bit number that names a Layer 2 or Layer 3 service inside the fabric; edge nodes map VLANs or VRF interfaces to it and core nodes forward it transparently.

Virtual Service Network, the Fabric Connect construct that binds a VLAN or VRF to an I-SID so that a service can be extended across the fabric between edge nodes.

A Fabric Connect feature that automatically detects a new edge port, assigns it to the correct I-SID based on a configured mapping, and provisions the service without manual per-port configuration.

An operational model where a switch boots, obtains management addressing, downloads its configuration or fabric role automatically, and joins the fabric without an engineer logging in first.

An Extreme feature that lets non-fabric devices or legacy switches connect to a Fabric Connect edge port and be automatically placed into the correct VLAN or I-SID by detecting their traffic.

The VOSS capability that applies a predefined configuration template or role to a switch at boot, commonly delivered through DHCP options or a configuration file on a server.

A Layer 2 broadcast domain identified by a 12-bit tag; on a BEB it is mapped to an I-SID to carry that segment across the fabric.

A switch interface configured to carry untagged traffic for a single VLAN, typically connecting an endpoint or server to a fabric edge node.

An interface that carries multiple VLANs using 802.1Q tags, used between switches or toward virtualization hosts that need several segmented networks on one link.

Virtual Routing and Forwarding, a separate Layer 3 routing table and set of interfaces on a switch, allowing overlapping IP subnets to coexist and isolating traffic between tenants.

A Fabric Connect Layer 3 service that maps a VRF to an I-SID so IP subnets are advertised across the fabric and routed at edge nodes without a full-mesh of point-to-point links.

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol, a first-hop redundancy protocol where multiple routers share a virtual IP and MAC, with one master forwarding traffic and a backup taking over on failure.

Split Multi-Link Trunking, an Extreme multi-chassis technology that lets two cluster switches share a link aggregation to a downstream device, providing active-active Layer 2 redundancy.

Routed Split Multi-Link Trunking, an extension that lets both cluster peers route traffic for a shared subnet, with each peer maintaining a backup route to the other for fast failover.

Inter-Switch Trunk, the dedicated link between two switches in an SMLT cluster that carries control traffic, synchronization, and data for the multi-chassis function.

The IS-IS-advertised multicast tree used by Fabric Connect to flood unknown unicast, broadcast, and multicast traffic to all interested BEB nodes for a given I-SID.

The encapsulation used by SPBM, where the original Ethernet frame is wrapped in an outer backbone MAC header so core switches forward on backbone addresses rather than learning customer MACs.

The VLAN carrying the switch's management IP address, used for CLI, SNMP, and file transfer access; it must be reachable from the management network for administration.

Command Line Interface, the text interface used to configure and inspect a VSP, organized into command modes such as Global Configuration, Interface Configuration, and Privileged EXEC.

The out-of-box state of a VSP, where the switch has no configuration and must be given management addressing, credentials, and a fabric role before it can be managed remotely.

The function a node performs in Fabric Connect, such as SPB backbone core, backbone edge, or Fabric Attach server, which determines how it forwards and provisions services.

The IS-IS topology and service advertisement database each fabric node maintains and synchronizes with neighbors, used to compute shortest paths and service reachability.

A Fabric Connect configuration that maps a multicast group or range to an I-SID so receivers at edge nodes can join and receive the stream across the fabric.

Simple Loop Prevention Protocol, an Extreme feature that sends test packets to detect Layer 2 loops on access ports and disables the offending port to protect the network.

Connectivity Fault Management, an IEEE 802.1ag operation, administration, and maintenance framework used to monitor links and services with continuity check messages and fault detection.

Simple Network Management Protocol, used to poll and trap operational data from a VSP for monitoring platforms; requires community or user configuration and management reachability.

A logging mechanism that forwards switch event messages to a remote collector, giving operators a persistent record for troubleshooting and audit.

A VOSS command family that displays IS-IS adjacency, interface, and database state, the first check when fabric nodes fail to form adjacencies or services do not appear.