HN777: Overlay All the Things?

The discussion centers on the evolution and current state of network overlay technologies, particularly EVPN, and its potential as a universal solution. Sergei Kolobov, a technical lead specializing in AI and cloud hyperscaler networking, shares insights on the industry's shift towards virtualization and containerization, driving the need for overlays to solve client isolation and traffic tunneling. Various overlay options like VXLAN, MPLS, and SRv6 are examined, with SRv6 gaining traction in WAN and DCI solutions. The conversation explores EVPN's role in multi-tenancy data centers, enterprise networks requiring strict security, and support for both legacy and modern L2 applications. Despite interoperability challenges, the ongoing IETF drafts aim to standardize EVPN, fostering multi-vendor interoperability and cost optimization.