Network performance in virtualized environments

Abstract

Virtualization is increasingly used for emulating computer networks in areas such as, e. g., education, testing, forensics and research. In this paper, we experimentally study the performance characteristics of virtualized networks for different virtualization technologies and compare them with real, physical networks. Our results indicate that the performance characteristics of virtualized networks are highly implementation dependent and do not necessarily resemble the performance characteristics of real networks in many cases. Therefore, results obtained in virtualized setups must be carefully checked before drawing conclusions about real networks. Moreover, our results indicate that the performance of virtualized networks may even impact the "common" operation of IT and network infrastructures, e. g., server-to-server-communication. To the best of our knowledge, this question has not been investigated before.