LAB Diagram and Devices BOM
My intention is to build and test the labs presented in MPLS in SDN Era Book:
As shown in the network diagram the BOM consist of:
- 10 x Junos Logical Systems Devices: 2xH, 2xCE, 2xPE, 2xBR, 1xRR, 1xP
- 4 x IOS XRv Virtual Routers Devices: 2xPE, 1xRR, 1xP
Note: H/CE/BR devices can be built also using simple instance-type virtual routers as no additional inside virtualization is needed.
- 6 x Junos Routing Instances instance-type virtual routers: 2xH, 2xCE, 2xBR
- 4 x Junos Logical Systems Devices: 2xPE, 1xRR, 1xP
- 4 x IOS XRv Virtual Routers Devices: 2xPE, 1xRR, 1xP
Available Resources and Resource Allocation
The lab will be hosted on a MacBook PRO with the following resources:
| Device | Memory | CPU |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Host | 16GB | 4 CPU with HT |
| SWAP Memmory | ~2GB | N/A |
Junos and IOS MIX Maximum Resources
| Device | Memory | CPU | Run order |
|---|---|---|---|
| vMX Ubuntu Host | 12GB | 4 | OK |
| IOS RXv-1 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS RXv-2 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS RXv-3 VM | 3GB | 1 | Memmory error |
| IOS RXv-4 VM | 3GB | 1 | Memmory error |
Junos Only Maximum Resources
| Device | Memory | Logical Systems | Virtual Routers |
|---|---|---|---|
| vMX Ubuntu Host | 12GB | max 15 | unknown limit |
| Clone of vMX Ubuntu Host | 12GB | N/A | Memory Error |
Note: When I try to start a second vMX Ubuntu Host I get the following memory error: ” To fix this problem, power off other virtual machines or decrease the memory size of this virtual machine to 7060 MB.”
IOS Maximum Resources
| Device | Memory | CPU | Run order |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOS XRv-1 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS XRv-2 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS XRv-3 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS XRv-4 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS XRv-5 VM | 3GB | 1 | OK |
| IOS XRv-6 VM | 3GB | 1 | Memory error |
Note: My MacBook supports maximum 5 OS XRv VMs.
Not Enough Memory Error
I power ON the vMX Ubuntu Host, vMX Virtual Router inside Ubuntu and 2 IOS XRv Virtual Routers. Activity Monitor tool shows me I am at the limit of my resources.
I try to power ON the third IOS XRv VM, namely IOS-XRv-3 and I get “Not Enough Memory” error.
SWAP Files and/or Paging
One idea is to check if I can and how to increase swap files.
I have enough hardware memory for swap files on Macintosh HD:
- Capacity: 999.25 GB
- Available: 646.22 GB (4.96 GB purgeable)
The swap files are ~2GB:
I think I have reached my MacBook physical limit.
Interesting articles about MacBook and Sierra performance:
On MacRumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2001/09/10/increase-os-x-performance-swap-partition/
On Medium.com: https://medium.com/@ayltai/need-for-speed-how-to-squeeze-every-last-drop-out-of-macos-sierra-7ac17b680c98
Hardware Limitation Workaround
For my LAB, I will build different versions of the lab where I will place the two IOS XRv Virtual Routers in two different roles. This is how I will test interoperability of the two vendors but also the flexibility of the automation solution.