Abstract
Virtualization is a technology that has become increasingly popular with those wishing to reduce the energy consumption of their datacenters. This is especially true since virtualization technology allows multiple physical servers to be consolidated onto a single physical server in the form of virtual machines. Virtual networking devices have been created to allow these virtual machines to communicate amongst each other and with outside networks. Initially these virtual networking devices were crude; however, partnerships such as the one between Cisco and VMware have led to products such as the Nexus 1000V that have improved this network functionality. Despite the creation of the Nexus 1000V, the security implications of using the virtual switch have remained unclear. This research aimed to solve this. The outcomes of this research included tests of vulnerabilities previously or currently found on physical switches, an analysis of the communications used by the Nexus 1000V to support distributed switching, and an analysis of the effects of the switch existing as a virtual machine.
Keywords
Cisco Nexus 1000V, Network Security, Networking, Virtualization
Date of this Version
2012
Department
Computer and Information Technology
Department Head
Jeffrey L. Brewer
Degree
Master of Science
Head of Graduate Program
Jeffrey L Whitten
Advisor 1 or Chair of Committee
Phillip T. Rawles
Committee Member 1
Michael J. Dyrenfurth
Committee Member 2
Raymond A. Hansen