Patent ID: 8560663

Claim:
A method performed by a cloud network manager (“CNM”) to manage multi-protocol label switching (“MPLS”) flow entries in a cloud network, the CNM coupled to a first virtualized server for hosting one or more virtual machines (“VM”), wherein the first virtualized server comprises a first virtual switch that supports MPLS and the first virtual switch is coupled to a first top of rack switch (“TORS”) that supports MPLS, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first notification message, wherein the first notification message indicates that a first VM has been scheduled for activation on the first virtualized server; and in response to receiving the first notification message, performing the following steps: determining a first VM media access control (“MAC”) address associated with the first VM, determining a first virtual switch MAC address associated with the first virtual switch, recording, in an address mapping table, an association between the first VM MAC address and the first virtual switch MAC address, determining a first MPLS label that associates the first TORS with the first virtual switch, and sending a first flow entry modification message to the first virtual switch indicating that data packets matching the first MPLS label and the first VM MAC address should be forwarded to the first VM.