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Adding DHCP Server Information for Virtual Networks and Logical Routers

In a Contrail-automated multi-tenant data center EVPN or VXLAN fabric, the tenant administrator needs to ensure that all departments use corporate Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers for endpoint IP and workload IP address assignment. Starting in Contrail Networking Release 1908, tenant administrators can define a set of DHCP server IP addresses while configuring virtual networks and logical routers on a multi-tenant data center fabric. After DHCP relay in each virtual network and logical router, Contrail Networking configures these defined IP addresses on the IP fabric.

In earlier releases, a Contrail services node (CSN) is used to provide DHCP and Domain Name System (DNS) services to bare metal servers. With Contrail Networking Release 1908, you can directly add DHCP server information by adding the server IP address in the Overlay > Logical Router page of the Contrail Command user interface (UI). The DHCP server that you use must be located in the same virtual network as that of the bare metal server or reachable through the Internet (inet.0).

Contrail Networking does not support the use of a DHCP server and a CSN at the same time. When you use a DHCP server, you must not provision a CSN and must remove existing CSNs. However, when you provision a CSN again, ensure that you remove DHCP server information and reprovision the bare metal server to enable the CSN to manage IP addresses.

Note:

This feature is supported only on QFX5000 and QFX10000 series devices running Junos OS Release 18.4R2 or later.

Topology

Consider the following scenarios as shown in Figure 1:

  • The DHCP server (DHCP Server - 1) and bare metal server (Bare Metal Server - 1) are located in the same network (Virtual Network - 1)

  • The DHCP server (DHCP Server - 2) and bare metal server (Bare Metal Server - 2) are not located in the same network

Figure 1: Sample TopologySample Topology

Depending on whether the DHCP server is located in the same virtual network or connected remotely to a routed network through the underlay, the following configuration is pushed to the leaf switch or spine switch.

  • If the DHCP server is located in the same virtual network, the following configuration is pushed:

  • If the DHCP server is not located in the same virtual network, the following (additional) route configuration is pushed:

Steps to Add DHCP Server Information

DHCP server information can be added to an existing logical router if the DHCP server is located in the same network as that of the virtual network and the logical router. You can edit the logical router and add the server information in the Overlay > Logical Router page of the Contrail Command UI.

You can also create a new logical router by using the Contrail Command UI. You can add DHCP information and associate virtual networks from the Create Logical Router page.

These topics provide information to add DHCP server information by using the Contrail Command UI.

Note:

Ensure that you remove existing CSNs before you provision the DHCP server.

For more information, see Steps to Remove CSN Information.

Adding DHCP Server Information to an Existing Logical Router

Follow these steps to add DHCP server information to an existing logical router by using the Contrail Command UI:

  1. Click Overlay > Logical Routers.

    The Logical Routers page is displayed.

  2. Select the router you want to edit by selecting the check box next to the name of the logical router, and click the Edit icon.

    The Edit Logical Router page is displayed.

  3. From the DHCP Relay Server(s) section, click +Add.

    The DHCP IP Address field is displayed as seen in Figure 2.

    Figure 2: DHCP IP Address FieldDHCP IP Address Field
  4. Enter the IP address of the DHCP server in the DHCP IP Address field.
    Note:

    Ensure that you remove existing CSNs before you provision the DHCP server.

    For more information, see Steps to Remove CSN Information.

  5. Click Save.

    The DHCP server IP address is now added to the logical router.

Adding DHCP Server Information while Creating a Logical Router

Follow these steps to add DHCP server information while creating a logical router by using the Contrail Command UI:

  1. Click Overlay > Logical Routers.

    The Logical Routers page is displayed.

  2. Click Create.

    The Create Logical Routers page is displayed.

  3. Enter the following information as given in Table 1.
    Table 1: Create Logical Router

    Field

    Action

    Name

    Enter a name for the logical router.

    Admin State

    Select Up as the admin state.

    Extend to Physical Router

    Select the physical router you want to extend the logical router to by selecting a router from the Extend to Physical Router list.

    Logical Router Type

    Select a logical router type from the Logical Router Type list.

    Connected networks

    Select the network(s) you want to connect the logical router to by selecting the network(s) from the Connected networks list.

    Public Logical Router

    Click Public Logical Router check box to enable the logical router to function as a public logical router.
  4. From the DHCP Relay Server(s) section, click +Add.

    The DHCP IP Address field is displayed as seen in Figure 3.

    Figure 3: DHCP IP Address FieldDHCP IP Address Field
  5. Enter the IP address of the DHCP server in the DHCP IP Address field.
    Note:

    Ensure that you remove existing CSNs before you provision the DHCP server.

    For more information, see Steps to Remove CSN Information.

  6. (Optional) Click +Add to add more DHCP IP addresses.
  7. Click Create.

    The logical router is now created and is listed in the Logical Routers page.

Steps to Remove CSN Information

Follow these steps to remove CSN information from the Contrail Command UI.

  1. Click Infrastructure > Cluster.

    The Overview tab of the Cluster page is displayed.

  2. Click the Cluster Nodes tab.

    The Cluster AIO Nodes page is displayed.

  3. Click the Service Nodes tab.

    The list of CSNs are displayed.

  4. To delete a CSN, hover over the name of the CSN and click the Remove icon.

    The Delete Service Nodes? confirmation message is displayed.

  5. Click Delete to confirm.

    The CSN information is removed.

Change History Table

Feature support is determined by the platform and release you are using. Use Feature Explorer to determine if a feature is supported on your platform.

Release
Description
1908
Starting in Contrail Networking Release 1908, tenant administrators can define a set of DHCP server IP addresses while configuring virtual networks and logical routers on a multi-tenant data center fabric.