This deck discusses network virtualization from the perspectives of why it matters to vSphere admins, how it will affect IT pros, and some key technologies that are involved.

1. How to Get Started with
Network Virtualization
Why it matters, how it will affect you, and some key technologies
to know
Scott Lowe, VCDX 39
vExpert, Author, Blogger, Geek
http://blog.scottlowe.org / Twitter: @scott_lowe

2. Before we start
•Get involved! Audience participation is encouraged and
requested.
•If you use Twitter, feel free to tweet about this session (use
@MyVMUG or hashtag #COVMUG)
•I encourage you to take photos or videos of today’s session
and share them online
•This presentation will be made available online after the event

3. Your name is familiar...

4. •What is network virtualization?
•How is it similar to compute virtualization?
•Why does network virtualization matter to me?
•How does network virtualization change my job?
•How does network virtualization affect my networking group?
•What are some key technologies I should know?
•What are the key components of network virtualization?
Agenda

5. “If you can’t explain it simply, you
don’t understand it well enough.”
- Albert Einstein

6. •A combination of technologies to support the creation of virtual
(or logical) networks
•A virtual network is a network that can be created, modified, and
destroyed without any interaction with physical network assets
•Network virtualization:
•Decouples virtual networks from physical networks
•Reproduces the physical network faithfully in the virtual
network
•Automates the creation of virtual networks programmatically
What is network virtualization?

7. •It works on any physical hardware (only requires an IP fabric)
•Decouples virtual (logical) networks from underlying physical
networks (hardware independence)
•Does not require changes to applications/workloads in order to
support network virtualization
•Doesn’t preclude the use of hardware support to enhance the
virtualization functionality (e.g., hardware offloads)
How is it similar to compute
virtualization?

8. •Other than jumping on the buzzword bandwagon?
•It makes it easier to provision new logical networks
•It makes it faster to provision new logical networks
•Logical networks can be quickly created, modified, and deleted
as needed without involving the physical network
•It brings network functionality closer to the workloads
Why does network
virtualization matter to me?

9. •It actually simplifies your job as a vSphere admin
•You'll be responsible for creating, modifying, and deleting virtual
(logical) networks, typically from within your cloud management
system
•You are abstracted away from the specific technical details of
how the network provides the functionality you need for your
workloads
How will network virtualization
change my job?

10. •It actually simplifies their job
•The networking group no longer needs to worry about workload
provisioning tasks
•Instead, they can focus on the key values of the network in
moving data from point A to point B
•Performance
•Reliability
•Cost-effectiveness
How will network virtualization
affect my networking group?

11. •Edge virtual switch
•Southbound communications protocols
•Northbound APIs
•Centralized controller
•Encapsulation protocols
What are the key components
of network virtualization?

12. •Open vSwitch (OVS)
•OpenFlow
•OVSDB (and possibly OF-Config)
•Network encapsulation protocols (STT, VXLAN, GRE)
What are some key
technologies I should know?

13. Questions &
answers

14. Thank you!
Don’t forget to provide feedback to your VMUG leaders on this
session.