GENEVE
also: Generic Network Virtualization Encapsulation
GENEVE (Generic Network Virtualization Encapsulation) is a tunnel encapsulation protocol that wraps network packets to transport them across networks, commonly used in software-defined networking and cloud environments.
GENEVE is an encapsulation protocol designed to tunnel network traffic over IP networks. It wraps an entire Ethernet frame (or other layer 2 packet) inside a UDP packet, allowing virtual networks to be created and extended across physical infrastructure without direct layer 2 connectivity.
Unlike simpler tunneling protocols, GENEVE supports flexible metadata through its variable-length options field, enabling innovative networking features and better integration with network virtualization platforms. It typically runs on UDP port 6081 and is commonly implemented in Linux via kernel modules or userspace tools.
Example use case: A hypervisor running virtual machines can use GENEVE tunnels to connect VMs across multiple physical hosts, making the VMs appear to be on the same network regardless of their actual physical location. This is particularly useful in cloud computing and multi-tenant environments.