As AI workloads, cloud-native functions, and massive-scale infrastructure push networks to their limits, the strain to show interoperability in multivendor environments has by no means been higher. Cisco addressed that requirement head-on with the Cisco N9000 Sequence on the European Superior Networking Take a look at Heart (EANTC), demonstrating industry-leading efficiency throughout VXLAN EVPN and Time Synchronization check streams.
Cisco at EANTC Transport and Cloud Networks Interop Take a look at 2026
Because the {industry}’s most rigorous proving floor, the annual Transport & Cloud Networks Interop Take a look at at EANTC in Berlin serves as an unbiased, impartial platform for validating the effectiveness of open, standards-based networking. By convening main {hardware} and software program distributors to stress-test interoperability, efficiency, and safety, EANTC helps make sure that numerous applied sciences combine seamlessly. This rigorous analysis confirms that new options are prepared for fast, dependable deployment in probably the most demanding service supplier and enterprise networks.
In 2026, Cisco participated in each EANTC Transport & Cloud Networks Interop Take a look at group demonstration—together with VXLAN EVPN, MPLS EVPN, SR-MPLS, SRv6, Orchestration and Automation, and Time Synchronization—using each the Cisco N9300 and Cisco 8000 Sequence platforms (Determine 1). This weblog focuses on the VXLAN EVPN and Time Synchronization check group outcomes.
Confirmed, open and safe: Cisco N9300 at EANTC 2026
Along with Cisco N9000 Sequence Switches, for the primary time Cisco N9300 Sensible Switches had been used within the VXLAN EVPN and Time Synchronization check group demonstrations. Whereas the occasion coated a variety of know-how and Cisco options, this weblog put up focuses solely on the participation with Cisco N9300 Sequence Switches.
In step with earlier years, a lot of the taking part distributors agreed on the next set of VXLAN EVPN check eventualities:
- Symmetric IRB with VLAN-based
- BGP unnumbered underlay
- VXLAN EVPN with IPv6 VTEPs
- EVPN and IPVPNv4 interworking
Highlights from the EANTC Interoperability Take a look at 2026
VXLAN EVPN Group Coverage
The VXLAN Group Coverage permits the classification of linked endpoints (EPs) and exterior sources into distinct Safety Teams (SGs). By defining and making use of Safety Group ACLs (SGACLs) between these teams, directors can successfully govern communication throughout the material. Determine 2 exhibits {that a} gadget from Vendor A can ship site visitors to a Cisco N9000 change throughout a VXLAN EVPN material, and the safety guidelines (based mostly on the Safety Group Tags) will nonetheless be enforced accurately to allow or deny communication between the EPs.
These constructs present a sturdy answer for Cisco NX-OS-based standalone N9000 switches to make sure constant safety posture. As an early adopter of VXLAN Group Coverage Choice (GPO), Cisco efficiently demonstrated interoperability with different distributors that at the moment are growing related function units.
Interoperability between symmetric and uneven IRB
Built-in Routing and Bridging (IRB) operates in two main modes: symmetric and uneven. In real-world deployments, it’s common to come across environments the place units throughout the similar EVPN area are configured with totally different IRB modes. To make sure seamless communication, these modes should interoperate in accordance with the requirements outlined in draft-ietf-bess-evpn-modes-interop. In the course of the testing, Cisco showcased profitable end-to-end interoperability in a hybrid state of affairs, the place a Cisco gadget functioned seamlessly alongside a accomplice vendor configured for uneven IRB (Determine 3).
N9300 Sequence Sensible Switches and VXLAN EVPN check
At present’s information heart operators want less complicated, safer methods to scale their environments with out the complexity of managing a number of, disparate safety options. Cisco redefined information heart networking with the N9300 Sequence Sensible Switches, a single platform that unifies networking and safety right into a unified, future-proof structure.
The N9300 Sequence offers sturdy Layer 4 segmentation throughout each single- and multi-fabric deployments. By embedding superior safety straight into the material, this platform enhances visibility and reduces whole value of possession (TCO).
This dedication to built-in safety was additional validated in the course of the latest EVPN interoperability checks, the place Cisco efficiently participated within the Symmetric IRB check with the Cisco Silicon One–based mostly N9348Y2C6D-SE1U sensible change (Determine 4).
PTP over MACsec
MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) secures Precision Time Protocol (PTP) site visitors by offering Layer 2 encryption, making certain confidentiality and integrity whereas defending in opposition to eavesdropping and tampering. Cisco efficiently exhibited PTP operation over MACsec at 100GE utilizing the N9K-C93400LD-H1 and N9K-C93180YC-FX3 switches (Determine 5).
Whereas enabling MACsec launched inherent path asymmetry and time error, Cisco exactly characterised these results and utilized the required delay and asymmetry compensation to satisfy the check’s rigorous timing efficiency necessities. These outcomes mark a big development in PTP safety, confirming that practical interoperability could be achieved over MACsec with out compromising the strict time-error limits required for demanding synchronization functions.
The ability of multivendor alternative
Interoperability empowers organizations to combine and match applied sciences to align with particular enterprise necessities, whether or not they’re adopting new improvements or refreshing present infrastructure. That is the place VXLAN BGP EVPN multivendor interoperability testing is crucial, because it validates how options from totally different producers operate collectively in real-world eventualities. This yr, 12 distributors, together with Cisco, participated in these rigorous checks. As an {industry} chief, Cisco stays a devoted participant in these interoperability occasions and continues to contribute actively to world standardization our bodies (Determine 6).
From EANTC to the Upperside World Congress
After efficiently sizzling staging the Cisco N9300 Sequence Switches at EANTC in Germany (Determine 7), Cisco additionally showcased a reside demo on the VXLAN GPO interoperability on the Upperside World Congress (previously the MPLS World Congress) in Paris, March 24–26. The demo video highlights this interop check case.
EVPN continues to evolve, proving its versatility and widespread adoption by way of profitable multivendor interoperability occasions like these hosted by EANTC. Whereas the usual continues to be refined by its authentic authors, the participation of a dozen distributors proves that it has broad {industry} acceptance. Trying forward, every new yr and set of check eventualities will undoubtedly drive additional innovation, uncovering new use instances and options which might be important for buyer success.
For extra particulars on the check outcomes, learn the complete EANTC-Interop 2026 report.
Architecting the AI-ready information heart for the long run
Cisco delivers an open, interoperable structure designed to scale innovation throughout your total ecosystem—from the info heart to the sting. We’ve eradicated the compromise between excessive efficiency and ironclad safety by infusing safety straight into the community material. With Cisco, you might be doing greater than constructing a community; you might be architecting the clever, resilient way forward for your enterprise.
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