VRF device is reported as Down even though it is not when the VRF device has no associated interfaces

Products

• VMware Smart Assurance
• Network Observability

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Smarts MPLS reports VRF device as Down even though it is not when the VRF device has no associated interfaces
• Smarts MPLS reports VRF devices as Down when are not really down they are just not in use
• Smarts MPLS reports VRF devices as Down that are configured in preparation for use across a large number of routers
• Smarts MPLS reports VRF devices as Down that do not have any associated interfaces
  
  

Environment

All Supported Smarts releases

Cause

When a number of VRF devices are configured in preparation for use across a large number of routers, many of these VRF devices do not have any associated interfaces initially. Smarts MPLS will report these VRF devices as Down until they are in use.

MPLS Manager follows MIB standard as in the following:

Resolution

The Smarts MPLS software is functioning as designed. If you want to have this behavior changed in future releases of the Smarts MPLS software, please create an enhancement request

Name:                          mplsVpnVrfOperStatus
Type:                          OBJECT-TYPE
OID:                           1.3.6.1.3.118.1.2.2.1.5
Full path:                     iso(1).org(3).dod(6).internet(1).experimental(3).mplsVpnMIB(118).mplsVpnObjects(1).mplsVpnConf(2).mplsVpnVrfTable(2).mplsVpnVrfEntry(1).mplsVpnVrfOperStatus(5)
Module:                        MPLS-VPN-MIB

Parent:                        mplsVpnVrfEntry
Prev sibling:                  mplsVpnVrfCreationTime
Next sibling:                  mplsVpnVrfActiveInterfaces Numerical syntax:     Integer (32 bit)
Base syntax:                   INTEGER
Composed syntax:               INTEGER
Status:                        current
Max access:                    read-only
Value list:                    1: up(1)
                               2: down(2) 
Description:                   Denotes whether a VRF is operational or not. 
                               A VRF is up(1) when at least one interface associated with the VRF, which ifOperStatus is up(1). A VRF is down(2) when:             
                                     a. There does not exist at least one interface whose ifOperStatus is up(1).
                                     b. There are no interfaces associated with the VRF.

Workaround
To avoid viewing VRF alarms, you can use a filter from the Smarts notification console.