The Basics of Computer Networks: Network Virtualization
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Network virtualization is the process of abstracting the physical network resources into logical resources. This allows for greater flexibility and agility in the network, as well as improved security and performance.
This is done by using a network hypervisor, which is a software layer that sits between the physical network and the virtual networks. The network hypervisor controls the flow of traffic between the virtual networks and the physical network.
There are two main types of network virtualization:
- Layer 2 network virtualization: This type of network virtualization abstracts the Layer 2 (data link) networking functions. This includes things like VLANs, trunks, and bridges. Layer 2 network virtualization is often used to create isolated virtual networks for different applications or workloads.
- Layer 3 network virtualization: This type of network virtualization abstracts the Layer 3 (network) networking functions. This includes things like routing, addressing, and firewalls. Layer 3 network virtualization is often used to create virtual networks that span multiple physical networks.
Layer 2 Virtualization
Layer 2 network virtualization is a type of network virtualization that abstracts the Layer 2 (data link) networking functions. This includes things like VLANs, trunks, and bridges. Layer 2 network virtualization is often used to create isolated virtual networks for different applications or workloads.
Here are some of the benefits of layer 2 network virtualization:
- Increased flexibility and agility: Layer 2 network virtualization allows for the creation of virtual networks that are independent of the underlying physical network. This means that networks can be easily created, modified, and deleted as needed.
- Improved security: Layer 2 network virtualization can help to improve security by isolating different applications and workloads in separate virtual networks. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data.
- Improved performance: Layer 2 network virtualization can help to improve performance by reducing the number of physical network devices that need to be traversed. This can be especially beneficial for applications that require high levels of throughput or low latency.
- Reduced costs: Layer 2 network virtualization can help to reduce costs by reducing the need for physical network devices and by simplifying the network management process.
Here are some of the technologies that can be used for layer 2 network virtualization:
- Virtual LAN (VLAN): VLANs are a way of logically dividing a physical network into multiple virtual networks. This allows for the isolation of different applications and workloads on the same physical network.
- Trunks: Trunks are a way of connecting multiple VLANs together. This allows for the communication of devices in different VLANs.
- Bridges: Bridges are devices that connect two or more networks together. This allows for the communication of devices on different networks.
Layer 3 Virtualization
Layer 3 network virtualization is a type of network virtualization that abstracts the Layer 3 (network) networking functions. This includes things like routing, addressing, and firewalls. Layer 3 network virtualization is often used to create virtual networks that span multiple physical networks.
Here are some of the benefits of layer 3 network virtualization:
- Increased flexibility and agility: Layer 3 network virtualization allows for the creation of virtual networks that are independent of the underlying physical network. This means that networks can be easily created, modified, and deleted as needed.
- Improved security: Layer 3 network virtualization can help to improve security by isolating different applications and workloads in separate virtual networks. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data.
- Improved performance: Layer 3 network virtualization can help to improve performance by reducing the number of physical network devices that need to be traversed. This can be especially beneficial for applications that require high levels of throughput or low latency.
- Reduced costs: Layer 3 network virtualization can help to reduce costs by reducing the need for physical network devices and by simplifying the network management process.
Here are some of the technologies that can be used for layer 3 network virtualization:
- Virtual routing and forwarding (VRF): VRF is a way of logically dividing a physical network into multiple virtual networks. This allows for the isolation of different applications and workloads on the same physical network.
- Overlay networks: Overlay networks are a way of creating virtual networks that span multiple physical networks. This allows for the communication of devices on different networks.
- Software-defined networking (SDN): SDN is a complete network virtualization solution that uses software to control the network. SDN is a powerful technology that can provide significant benefits, but it can also be complex to implement and manage.
Importance of Network Virtualization
Here are some of the importance of network virtualization:
- Increased flexibility and agility: Network virtualization allows for the creation of virtual networks that are independent of the underlying physical network. This means that networks can be easily created, modified, and deleted as needed. This is especially important for businesses that need to be able to quickly and easily adapt to changing business requirements.
- Improved security: Network virtualization can help to improve security by isolating different applications and workloads in separate virtual networks. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data.
- Improved performance: Network virtualization can help to improve performance by reducing the number of physical network devices that need to be traversed. This can be especially beneficial for applications that require high levels of throughput or low latency.
- Reduced costs: Network virtualization can help to reduce costs by reducing the need for physical network devices and by simplifying the network management process.
Types of Network Virtualization
There are several different types of network virtualization, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
- Layer 2 network virtualization: This type of network virtualization abstracts the Layer 2 (data link) networking functions. This includes things like VLANs, trunks, and bridges. Layer 2 network virtualization is often used to create isolated virtual networks for different applications or workloads.
- Layer 3 network virtualization: This type of network virtualization abstracts the Layer 3 (network) networking functions. This includes things like routing, addressing, and firewalls. Layer 3 network virtualization is often used to create virtual networks that span multiple physical networks.
- Software-defined networking (SDN): SDN is a complete network virtualization solution that uses software to control the network. SDN is a powerful technology that can provide significant benefits, but it can also be complex to implement and manage.
- Network function virtualization (NFV): NFV is a technology that separates network functions from the underlying hardware. This allows for greater flexibility and agility in the network, as well as improved performance and scalability. NFV is a promising technology, but it is still in its early stages of development.
- Virtual private networks (VPNs): VPNs are a type of network virtualization that creates a secure, private network over a public network. VPNs are often used to connect remote users to a corporate network or to provide secure access to cloud-based applications.
Here is a table that summarizes the different types of network virtualization:
| Type | Description | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layer 2 network virtualization | Abstracts the Layer 2 (data link) networking functions | – Increased flexibility and agility – Improved security – Reduced costs | – Can be complex to implement and manage |
| Layer 3 network virtualization | Abstracts the Layer 3 (network) networking functions | – Increased flexibility and agility – Improved security – Reduced costs | – Can be complex to implement and manage |
| Software-defined networking (SDN) | Uses software to control the network | – Increased flexibility and agility – Improved performance – Reduced costs | – Can be complex to implement and manage |
| Network function virtualization (NFV) | Separates network functions from the underlying hardware | – Increased flexibility and agility – Improved performance – Reduced costs | – Still in its early stages of development |
| Virtual private networks (VPNs) | Creates a secure, private network over a public network | – Increased security – Reduced costs | – Can be complex to implement and manage |
Security in Network Virtualization
Virtualization in networking can make it more secure in a number of ways.
- Isolation: Virtualization allows for the creation of isolated virtual networks, which can help to protect different applications and workloads from each other. This is because each virtual network is effectively its own separate network, with its own set of security policies.
- Segmentation: Virtualization can also be used to segment the network, which can help to prevent the spread of malware or other threats. This is because each virtual network can be isolated from the others, so that if a threat does occur, it is less likely to spread to other parts of the network.
- Visibility: Virtualization can also help to improve visibility into the network, which can make it easier to identify and respond to threats. This is because virtualization provides a single pane of glass for managing all of the virtual networks, so that IT teams can easily see what is happening on the network.
- Compliance: Virtualization can also help organizations to comply with security regulations. This is because virtualization can be used to implement security controls that are required by regulations, such as those for data privacy or network segmentation.
Benefits of Network Virtualization
Here are some of the benefits of network virtualization:
- Increased flexibility and agility: Network virtualization allows for the creation of virtual networks that are independent of the underlying physical network. This means that networks can be easily created, modified, and deleted as needed. This is especially important for businesses that need to be able to quickly and easily adapt to changing business requirements.
- Improved security: Network virtualization can help to improve security by isolating different applications and workloads in separate virtual networks. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data.
- Improved performance: Network virtualization can help to improve performance by reducing the number of physical network devices that need to be traversed. This can be especially beneficial for applications that require high levels of throughput or low latency.
- Reduced costs: Network virtualization can help to reduce costs by reducing the need for physical network devices and by simplifying the network management process.
Examples of Network Virtualization
- Virtual LAN (VLAN): A VLAN is a logical grouping of devices on a physical network. VLANs allow you to separate traffic from different departments or applications, even if they are located on the same physical network.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN is a secure connection between two or more devices over a public network. VPNs can be used to protect data from unauthorized access, as well as to allow users to access resources on a private network from a remote location.
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN): SDN is a network architecture that decouples the control plane from the data plane. This allows network administrators to centrally manage and control the network, regardless of the underlying hardware.
- Network Functions Virtualization (NFV): NFV is a virtualization technology that allows network functions to be run on software-based appliances. This can help to reduce the cost and complexity of network infrastructure.
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Access the The Basics of Computer Networks: Content Delivery Network (CDN) (Next post in Networking) by clicking HERE
Access the The Basics of Computer Networks: Software Defined Networking (SDN) (Previous post in Networking) by clicking HERE
This is a multi-part series on DevOps 101. Access the complete DevOps series by clicking HERE
