US Patent 10374827 Identifier that maps to different networks at different datacenters

Some embodiments provide a method for a network manager that manages multiple managed forwarding elements at a particular datacenter. The method receives a configuration for a bridge between a logical L2 network that spans at least two datacenters and physical L2 networks at one or more of the spanned datacenters. The configuration includes a generic physical network identifier. The method maps the generic physical network identifier to a particular physical L2 network at the particular datacenter. The generic physical network identifier maps to other physical networks at other spanned datacenters. The method provides the configuration to a set of central controllers using an identifier for the particular physical L2 network. The set of central controllers configures a managed forwarding element operating at the particular datacenter to implement the bridge to bridge packets between the logical L2 network and the particular physical L2 network.