This Article is a part of
Network Security Guide
Virtual Networks Definition
A virtual network is a network that simulates a physical network and is a combination of hardware and software network resources. It is the end product of network virtualization.
There are two main classifications in Virtual Networks:
- External
- Internal.
The external virtual networks consist of several local networks that software manages as a single entity. And, the parts that make up the classic external virtual networks are switching hardware and virtual local area network (VLAN) software technology. Examples of external virtual networks include large corporate networks and data centers.
An internal virtual network consists of a system that uses virtual machines or zones whose network interfaces are configured using at least one physical network interface card (NIC).
These network interfaces are called virtual NICs (VNIC). Besides, these zones (virtual machines) can communicate with each other as if they were on the same local network and become a [virtual network] on a single host.
A special type of internal [virtual network] is the private [virtual network]. These private virtual networks are different from virtual private networks (VPNs). And also, VPN creates a secure point-to-point link between two end systems.
The private [virtual network] is a network in a system that external networks cannot access. In addition, the isolation achievement of this internal network from other external networks is by configuring the VNICs through a pseudo-NIC called etherstub.
Virtual networks can improve flexibility and segmentation, but they still need appropriate security controls to prevent unauthorized access and protect connected resources. Following established network security practices can help secure virtual network environments.
A virtual network is one component of modern network infrastructure, working alongside physical and software-based networking technologies to connect devices, applications, and services.
Components of a Virtual Network
A [virtual network] has the following components:
- Virtual Network Interface Card (VNIC)
- Virtual switch
- Etherstub
- Zone.
Even though a virtual network is created through software, devices and applications still need standardized communication rules. Network protocols provide these rules, defining how data is transmitted and exchanged across the virtual environment.
Virtual networks can also be managed through technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN), which uses centralized, software-based control to configure and manage network resources dynamically.
Who should run virtual networks?
If you need to consolidate resources, consider creating virtual networks. And also, you can make better use of available resources by combining various applications on a few servers. You can then use virtual networks to provide connectivity between applications.
Virtual environments often connect users, applications, servers, and cloud resources across different locations. Maintaining secure network connectivity helps protect the data exchanged between these interconnected resources.
- ISP consolidators, telecommunications companies, and large financial institutions can consolidate servers thanks to the following hardware resources:
- Powerful NICs with broad bandwidth and hardware compatibility, for example, support for virtual functions (VF) and NIC rings.
- Powerful physical machines with higher random access memory (RAM) and central processing units (CPU)
In addition, it is possible to replace many systems with a single system that has multiple zones or virtual machines without significantly decreasing separation, security and flexibility.
Virtual networks are closely related to network virtualization, a technology that abstracts network resources from the underlying physical hardware and allows multiple logical networks to operate over shared infrastructure.
