Enabling software-based MAC learning on an interface

This feature is applicable to SDN networks.

To reduce broadcast traffic in an SDN network, the controller synchronizes the MAC addresses that each VTEP learns among all VTEPs. On a VTEP, an interface can learn MAC addresses in hardware or software.

Software-based MAC learning shortens the interval at which the VTEP advertises MAC address reachability information to the controller. However, this mode is resource intensive. When you use this mode, you must fully understand its impact on the device performance.

Configuration restrictions and guidelines

Software-based MAC learning consumes more resources than the hardware learning method. As a best practice to ensure device performance, do not enable software-based MAC learning if MAC addresses change frequently in the network.

Configuration procedure

To Enable software-based MAC learning on an interface:

Step

Command

Remarks

1. Enter system view.

system-view

N/A

2. Enter interface view.

  • Enter Layer 2 Ethernet interface view.interface interface-type interface-number

  • Enter Layer 2 aggregate interface view.interface bridge-aggregation interface-number

N/A

3. Enable software-based MAC learning on the interface.

l2vpn mac-address software-learning enable

By default, hardware-based MAC learning is used.

4. (Optional.) Set the MAC learning limit on the interface.

mac-address max-mac-count count

By default, the MAC learning limit is not set on an interface.

For more information about this command, see MAC address table commands in Layer 2—LAN Switching Command Reference.