Overview - ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2020/Amd 3:2021 (VDP NVO3 extension)
ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2020/Amd 3:2021 is Amendment 3 to the IEEE/ISO/IEC standard for bridges and bridged networks (IEEE 802.1Q). Published as IEEE Std 802.1Qcy-2019 and adopted under the ISO/IEC fast‑track process, this amendment defines extensions to the Virtual Station Interface (VSI) Discovery and Configuration Protocol (VDP) so it can be used between an end station and an encapsulation/decapsulation device that supports Network Virtualization Overlays over Layer 3 (NVO3). The amendment adds new format types (for example, IP address formats) and improves how migration events are indicated.
Key technical topics and requirements
- VDP extensions for NVO3: Enables VDP use in environments where overlay encapsulation/decapsulation is performed by devices separate from the end station.
- New format types: Introduces additional data formats (such as IP address formats) in VDP messages to support NVO3 scenarios.
- Migration event signalling: Enhances VDP mechanisms to better indicate and manage station migration events in virtualized overlay networks.
- Interoperability focus: Designed as an amendment to IEEE 802.1Q to maintain compatibility with existing bridge and VSI discovery mechanisms while enabling overlay use cases.
- Standards provenance: Prepared by the IEEE 802.1 working group (LAN/MAN Standards Committee) and published as an ISO/IEC/IEEE joint document.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- Data center architects and network designers - deploying NVO3 (L3 overlay) infrastructures that separate virtualization encapsulation (VTEP-like functions) from tenant endpoints.
- Network equipment vendors - implementing VDP extensions in switches, gateways, and encapsulation/decapsulation devices to support virtual station discovery and configuration over L3 overlays.
- Cloud operators and virtualization platform teams - coordinating automated configuration, mobility, and migration of virtual machines or containers across overlay networks.
- Interoperability and test labs - validating conformance between end stations, bridge implementations, and NVO3 encapsulation devices.
This amendment helps ensure consistent discovery, configuration, and migration handling for virtual stations in modern overlay-based networks.
Related standards
- IEEE Std 802.1Q (Bridges and bridged networks) - base standard for VLANs and bridging
- IEEE Std 802.1Qcy-2019 - the IEEE designation for this amendment
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q series - broader collection of parts and amendments for LAN/MAN bridging
Keywords: ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2020/Amd 3:2021, VDP extension, VSI discovery, NVO3, network virtualization overlays, IEEE 802.1Qcy, layer 3 overlays, migration events, VDP IP address extension.