How do I configure VRRP settings on a virtual machine without experiencing network conflict when SR-IOV is enabled on the same virtual network adapter on a VM?

Last modified date: 2022-06-24

Applicable products:

QuCPE-7012 (QNE 1.0.2.q511)

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) is an IP routing redundancy technique that can be used to resolve processing overhead and faulty failover issues that network devices face due to dynamic discovery protocols and static configurations. VRRP can be achieved by using two or more network devices to create a single virtual interface. The virtual interface shares the same information (e.g., virtual IP and MAC address) among the connected network devices.

SR-IOV-enabled Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) require the original MAC address of the network adapter to transmit data packets. If VRRP is enabled on the same virtual network interface, a MAC address conflict could occur between VRRP and the VNF, causing the VRRP function to fail.

Figure 1: VRRP communication without bridge connection

Answer:

Figure 2: VRRP communication with bridge connection

Log in to QNE on the primary QuCPE.
Open Service Composer.
Identify a VM.
On the Information panel, click . The Edit VM window appears.
Select Bridge as the VNF mode.
Click Apply.
Click .
Connect the VNF on the VM to an available native port.
Click Apply.
Log in to QNE on the secondary QuCPE.
Repeat steps 2 to 8.
Bridge the VNF-enabled virtual network interface and the SR-IOV interface on the VM.
Note: Bridge settings for virtual network and SR-IOV interfaces cannot be configured using Service Composer and depend on the virtual machine installed using Virtualization Station.
Connect the VNF-enabled physical network ports on both QuCPE devices using a network cable.