VNEXT: Virtual network management for Xen-based Testbeds

Network testbeds strongly rely on virtualization that allows the simultaneous execution of multiple protocol stacks but also increases the management and control tasks. This paper presents a system to control and manage virtual networks based on the Xen platform. The goal of the proposed system is to assist network administrators to perform decision making in this challenging virtualized environment. The system management and control tasks consist of defining virtual networks, turning on, turning off, migrating virtual routers, and monitoring the virtual networks within few mouse clicks thanks to a user-friendly graphical interface. The administrator can also perform high-level decisions, such as redefining the virtual network topology by using the plane-separation and loss-free live migration functionality, or saving energy by shutting down physical routers. Our performance tests assure the system has low response time; for instance, less than 3 minutes to create 4-node virtual networks.