> We plan to extend the VCL UI, management code, and database to support > the ability to request a set of VMs with a soft network connecting the > VMs. > > Aside: It seems to me that there are two ways in which a soft network > between VMs can be implemented. The first utilizes an underlying > framework (in our case OpenStack Neutron) and the second is to utilize > a VM image with Openvswitch installed. We are looking to implement the > first option. > > I am especially looking for guidance from the NCSU developers on the > "proper" way to do this such that it fits with what exists and is > planned.
I'm not an NCSU developer, but I have worked with virtual networks a bit. We're also not using Apache VCL yet, though NCSU's VCL inspired us to create our own private cloud, based on VirtualBox vs. VMware. I wanted to mention Virtual Distributed Ethernet (VDE) as a possibility -- it enabled us to have a distributed virtual switch that spanned real subnets. We use it with the Vyatta VM to provide routing, NATting, DHCP serving and firewalling. We tried using Openvswitch, but could not figure out how to distribute their switch, which was critical for our environment. We may re-visit it in the near future. Stephen Rondeau Institute of Technology Computer Lab Administrator University of Washington Tacoma 1900 Commerce St. MS 358426, Tacoma, WA 98402 Office: DOU110B; Phone: 253-692-5710 Lab Information: http://css.insttech.washington.edu/~lab
