Tech Insights

Fabric Path

Last updated May 16, 2025, generated by Sumble

What is Fabric Path?

FabricPath is a Cisco proprietary Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) routing protocol designed for building scalable and resilient data center networks. It addresses the limitations of traditional Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) by enabling multipathing and loop avoidance at Layer 2. This allows for more efficient use of network bandwidth and faster convergence times in case of network failures. It is commonly used in large data centers to create a flatter, more efficient network topology. It has been replaced by newer technologies such as VXLAN.

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What other technologies are related to Fabric Path?

Fabric Path Competitor Technologies

Logical Overlay

FabricPath is a Layer 2 multi-pathing protocol, whereas Logical Overlays provide similar benefits through tunneling mechanisms. Examples of technologies in this category include VXLAN or LISP. They serve as alternatives for achieving similar goals.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 54% (61) of relevant job posts

OTV

OTV (Overlay Transport Virtualization) provides Layer 2 extension capabilities across a Layer 3 network, serving a similar purpose to FabricPath in extending Layer 2 domains across multiple sites.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 12% (145) of relevant job posts

VXLAN

VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a network virtualization technology that encapsulates Layer 2 frames within UDP packets for transmission across a Layer 3 network. It's an alternative to FabricPath for achieving Layer 2 extension and multi-pathing in data centers.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 1% (178) of relevant job posts

Spanning Tree

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol that prevents loops in a network by blocking redundant paths. FabricPath provides loop prevention and multi-pathing without STP.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 2% (123) of relevant job posts

ACI

Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is a data center architecture that uses a spine-leaf topology and policy-based automation. While FabricPath can be used in a spine-leaf architecture, ACI is a broader solution that offers more features.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 1% (119) of relevant job posts

STP

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is a Layer 2 protocol that prevents loops in a network by blocking redundant paths. FabricPath provides loop prevention and multi-pathing without STP.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 1% (157) of relevant job posts

VSS

Virtual Switching System (VSS) is a technology that allows two Cisco Catalyst switches to be combined into a single logical switch. FabricPath can provide similar benefits without needing to combine physical switches into a single logical entity.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 2% (71) of relevant job posts

LISP

Locator/ID Separation Protocol (LISP) is a network virtualization technology that separates device identity from location. It is an alternative to FabricPath.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 2% (51) of relevant job posts

Fabric Path Complementary Technologies

FEX

Fabric Extenders (FEX) can be used in conjunction with FabricPath to extend the network fabric and increase port density. FEX does not provide Layer 2 multipathing on its own but can work with an upstream FabricPath enabled switch.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 16% (96) of relevant job posts

VPC

Virtual Port Channel (vPC) is a technology that allows links that are physically connected to two different Cisco Nexus switches to appear as a single port channel to a third device. FabricPath can use vPC for link aggregation to provide increased bandwidth and resilience.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 1% (320) of relevant job posts

LACP

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is used to bundle multiple physical links into a single logical link. FabricPath can utilize LACP for link aggregation to provide increased bandwidth and redundancy. FabricPath and LACP can be used in the same architecture.

mentioned alongside Fabric Path in 2% (109) of relevant job posts