A virtual eXtensible local area network (VXLAN) method comprises obtaining, by a network device, a mapping from a virtual local area network identifier VLAN ID to a VXLAN network identifier VNI, receiving, by the network device through a port, an Ethernet frame forwarded by an access device, where a VLAN tag field in the Ethernet frame includes the VLAN ID, adding, by the network device, a VXLAN header to the Ethernet frame based on the VLAN ID and the mapping to obtain a VXLAN packet, where a VNI field in the VXLAN header includes the VNI, and sending, by the network device, the VXLAN packet.