Options for providing connectivity of virtual and real computers

Amir Huskić (2016) Options for providing connectivity of virtual and real computers. MSc thesis.

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Abstract

Virtualization has enabled the development of cloud computing, which during the last couple of years, has increasingly become one of the most important Information Technology trends. With the numerous advantages afforded by virtualization and cloud computing, users can virtualize an increasing percentage of the existing IT infrastructure. However, there are cases where this cannot be done. Should this happen, it is often imperative to provide at least network connectivity for cloud infrastructures with the physical infrastructure in such a way as to guarantee that they are both located in the same local area network at these times. The Master’s Thesis first examines the field itself and the matter of existing technologies: virtualization, SDN, NV, NFV, as well as open-source cloud platforms. We have drawn up an overview of the user isolating mechanisms used for isolating the Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks through the use of virtual networks, software virtual switches, various software plugins and tunnelling protocols. We looked at various models and architectures which would enable a safe integration with the cloud infrastructure, especially its virtualized component, with physical IT infrastructure. We used practical examples to ascertain how such interfaces and communication can be allowed for networking and communication between virtual computers and the physical infrastructure, also looking into the orchestration and automation of the procedures employed in setting up such architectures. Our work mainly centred on the most frequently used open-source cloud platform, i.e. the OpenStack. In the end, we identified the limitations and shortcomings of various existing models and architecture, and evaluated the production maturity of individual possible solutions for linking the physical and virtual infrastructure.

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