The VCF on VxRail network design offers flexibility to allow for different topologies and different network hardware vendors. This enables users to use their existing network infrastructure or potentially add new hardware to an existing data center network infrastructure. Typically, data center network design has been shifting away from classical 3-tier network topologies using primarily Layer 2 fabric to the newer Leaf and Spine Layer 3 fabric architectures. When deciding whether to use Layer 2 or Layer 3, consider the following factors:

• NSX-V or NSX-T ECMP Edge devices establish Layer 3 routing adjacency with the first upstream Layer 3 device to provide equal cost routing for management and workload traffic.
• The investment you have today in your current physical network infrastructure
• The advantages and disadvantages for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 designs

The following section describes both designs and highlights the main advantages and disadvantages of each design.