Chapter 6

Server Virtualization and Networking

Abstract

Server virtualization is widely adopted in cloud data center networks, but this technology adds some additional challenges for cloud networking especially at the server-network interface. In this chapter, we describe virtual machines (VMs) and how hypervisors from some leading software vendors establish virtual switches within the host for local connectivity. Next, we provide an overview of PCI-Express and describe how single-root IO virtualization can provide an alternative to a vSwitch in the host. We then provide some details on how the physical and virtual switches interact and how the industry is establishing edge virtual bridging standards in order to unify network functionality ...

Get Cloud Networking now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.