Network Virtualization
First Claim
1. A network interface for a first physical device for sending a data packet from a local virtual machine on the first physical device to at least one other virtual machine on at least one remote physical device, coupled by a forwarding network, the data packets having a destination address of the other virtual machine in an address space of a virtual network, independent of an address space of the forwarding network, the network interface having a connection to each of the local virtual machines, and an address mapper arranged to determine a corresponding forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, using the destination address of each data packet, and the interface being arranged to encapsulate the data packet with the forwarding address so that the forwarding network can deliver the data packet to the remote physical device having that forwarding address.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual network has virtual machines on physical devices connected to network interfaces each coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can deliver the data packet to the remote physical device having that forwarding address. Such encapsulation enables virtual machines on different physical devices to communicate transparently to the underlying forwarding network. Virtual networks can be created to suit their applications yet use or share existing forwarding networks, while protecting the forwarding network from interference by the virtual machines, and maintaining isolation between virtual machines.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A network interface for a first physical device for sending a data packet from a local virtual machine on the first physical device to at least one other virtual machine on at least one remote physical device, coupled by a forwarding network, the data packets having a destination address of the other virtual machine in an address space of a virtual network, independent of an address space of the forwarding network, the network interface having a connection to each of the local virtual machines, and an address mapper arranged to determine a corresponding forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, using the destination address of each data packet, and the interface being arranged to encapsulate the data packet with the forwarding address so that the forwarding network can deliver the data packet to the remote physical device having that forwarding address.
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17. A method of sending a data packet across a virtual network from a local virtual machine on a first physical device to at least one other virtual machine on at least one remote physical device, coupled by a forwarding network, the data packet having a destination address of the other virtual machine in an address space of the virtual network, independent of an address space of the forwarding network, the method having the steps of determining a corresponding forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, using the destination address of each data packet, encapsulating the data packet with the forwarding address and sending the encapsulated data packet over the forwarding network for delivery to the remote physical device having that forwarding address.
- 18. A computer network comprising at least a first and second physical server, a plurality of virtual machines running on the first and second physical servers whereby at least one of the virtual machines runs on the first physical server and at least another one of the virtual machines runs on the second physical server, wherein the virtual machines are adapted to exchange information over a virtual network segment on which arbitrary IP and MAC addresses can be used.
Specification