Connecting Fabric Connect to the cloud and Data Center – the simplicity of integrating on-premises environments with the cloud

Companies are increasingly choosing the hybrid model

Companies are increasingly operating in a hybrid model, using on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources simultaneously. In such an environment, it becomes important to seamlessly and securely connect these two areas without overly complicating configuration and management.

Integrating on-premises environments with the cloud requires modern network solutions that provide scalability, security, and simplicity of management. One such solution is Fabric Connect technology from Extreme Networks.

Fabric Connect technology basics

Fabric Connect technology, based on IEEE 802.1aq (Shortest Path Bridging), addresses the challenges of designing and maintaining complex hybrid environments. It allows simplifying network architecture and ensuring consistency of access and security policies regardless of data location, both in the data center and in the cloud.

What does Fabric Connect offer?

Fabric Connect is a modern approach to building networks that simplifies infrastructure design, deployment, and maintenance. With its flat topology, it eliminates the need for multiple classic routing protocols while automating many administrative processes.

Key advantages of this technology include:

• The ability to quickly create network segments (L2/L3 services),
• Full scalability and flexibility,
• High level of safety thanks to traffic isolation,
• Automatic configuration of new network elements.

How does Fabric Connect work, and what is its architecture based on?

Fabric Connect integrates Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions into a single, flat architecture, eliminating the need for multilayer routing configurations. As a result, the network becomes simpler, more stable, and more resistant to configuration errors.

It is based on the IEEE 802.1aq SPB (Shortest Path Bridging) protocol, which dynamically determines the shortest paths for network traffic. In addition, MAC-in-MAC technology provides traffic isolation and enhanced scalability through frame encapsulation.

Service virtualization using L2VSN (Layer 2 Virtual Service Network) and L3VSN (Layer 3 Virtual Service Network) allows you to create logically separated networks so that each service operates in an independent, secure environment.

What does connecting Fabric Connect to the cloud look like?

Deploying Fabric Connect in hybrid environments enables you to seamlessly stretch your local network into the cloud, creating a unified, secure, and easy-to-manage environment that spans local and cloud resources.

The ability to stretch the network under a single service ID also allows cloud VMs to run in the same address space as local devices. Without the need for NAT or advanced routing.

By using dedicated gateways or virtual solutions (such as vSwitch supporting Fabric Extend), it is also possible to transparently connect cloud environments to local networks. Network context and access policies are transferred automatically.

One of Fabric Connect’s key strengths is the centralization of management. Administrators can define security and access policies in one place, and the same rules will be applied regardless of the physical location of resources.

Extend your network to the cloud with Fabric Extend

Fabric Extend allows you to extend your network to public clouds (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS) and remote locations without having to manually configure routes and tunnels.

Integration with Microsoft Azure enables the use of Private Endpoints, which provide secure and private connections to cloud services, eliminating the need to expose services to the public Internet.

Automate and simplify deployments

Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) allows new network devices to be automatically deployed without manual configuration. This is because the devices download the configuration automatically when connected.

ExtremeCloud Site Engine enables the creation of predefined deployment workflows, so that new devices are immediately incorporated into the network in accordance with security policies.

Auto-sense ports and Fabric Attach facilitate dynamic assignment of ports and endpoint devices to appropriate network segments based on their profile and purpose.

Management and security in hybrid environments

ExtremeCloud IQ provides central management of the entire network environment regardless of the geographic location of the infrastructure.

ExtremeControl (NAC) enables dynamic access control based on user identity, device type, and location, providing additional layers of protection through microsegmentation.

Microsegmentation and traffic priority management (QoS) allow precise control of data flow in the network. This also ensures the stability and security of critical business services.

Integration with Microsoft Fabric and local data sources

Integration with Microsoft Fabric allows organizations to combine local data with cloud analytics, expanding analytics capabilities without the need for data migration. With Private Endpoints, data is sent over a private, secured network path, making connections to cloud services more secure. In turn, integration with Microsoft Azure and Power Platform allows efficient management of cloud services, automation of processes, and full control over data security.

Architectures of modern networks based on Fabric Connect

The Fabric Edge concept and the Extreme Automated Campus platform create a fully automated, scalable, and flexible network architecture. Moreover, optimized for extended hybrid environments.

Fabric Connect is ideal for smart city networks and IoT environments. Wherever security, scalability, and ease of managing a large number of devices are indeed crucial.

Why implement Fabric Connect?

• Minimizing complexity. No need for manual configuration of tunnels, static routes, or address translation systems.
• Uniform safety rules. Consistent security policies are in place across all on-premises and cloud environments.
• Ease of expansion. Adding new services or locations does not require changing the entire network architecture.
• Faster deployment of services. New resources can be incorporated into the network in minutes, minimizing the risk of configuration errors.

Application examples and implementation scenarios

• Data Center in hybrid architecture – integration of local data center with public cloud (AWS, Azure).
• Backup environments and disaster recovery – rapid restoration of cloud services with full policy integrity.
• Secure testing in the cloud – creating Dev/Test environments that run under identical conditions to production.

Summary

Fabric Connect enables organizations to effectively connect local resources to the cloud with simplicity, security, and consistency. With automation, centralized management, and advanced segmentation, companies can, above all, respond faster to business needs. More importantly, they can also effectively minimize operational risks.