GRE tunnel key

When you use the same source interface for multiple GRE tunnels, your router won’t know what tunnel to use to de-encapsulate packets. This issue can be solved by implementing what is known as a tunnel key.

A tunnel key adds a 32-bit unique key ID to the GRE header. By configuring a unique tunnel key on each tunnel interface, routers are able to distinguish between such GRE tunnels.

When a router receives such a packet, it de-encapsulates the packet first, then it does a match on the destination IP address, and then it matches the tunnel key.

For more information on the particular behavior of this feature, take a look at GRE tunnel key operation with only one tunnel key configured.

https://networklessons.com/uncategorized/gre-tunnel-key

https://community.cisco.com/t5/routing/tunnel-key-in-ptp-gre-tunnel/td-p/2923291

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