A customer migrates from a traditional Layer 2 data center network into a new SDN-based...

In data center migration scenarios, when legacy and VXLAN EVPN networks are connected for host mobility, a critical step is to ensure a seamless Layer 3 gateway handoff. This is typically achieved using VRRP (or HSRP) where both the old and new gateways share the same virtual IP.

The final step involves:

Increasing the VRRP priority on the new VXLAN-enabled infrastructure to make it the active default gateway.

Ensuring that hosts retain their original default gateway (no reconfiguration required).

Only after the new gateway is active, the legacy SVIs can be gracefully shut down.

This method ensures no packet loss or disruption to host connectivity during or after migration.

It aligns with CCDE v3.1 under the “Network Architecture Principles” domain, particularly for data center transformation, operational consistency, and seamless L2–L3 handoff design patterns.