INTER-COMPATIBLE FORWARDING MODES IN NETWORK FABRIC OVERLAYS

Methods and devices configure edge nodes of a virtual network overlay to continuously forward data plane traffic flows between client devices of a common subnet over the course of at least some of the edge nodes being EF-configured. TF-configured edge nodes and EF-configured edge nodes both play roles in unilaterally inducing address discovery by sending to client devices address discovery responses that were not prompted by address discovery requests. TF-configured edge nodes then handle ensuing address discovery requests by proxy, and subsequently handle certain traffic flows according to an EF-compatible forwarding mode, while EF-configured edge nodes continue to forward traffic flows by IP routing normally. This averts throughput of data plane traffic over the network overlay being reduced as a side effect of the heterogeneously configured edge nodes, and averts the possibility of client devices broadcasting address discovery protocol requests as a result of remote client devices being unreachable.