In Chapter 4, Virtual Network Infrastructure Using Linux Bridges, we looked at how the Linux bridge mechanism driver and agent build a virtual network infrastructure using different types of interfaces and Linux bridges. In this chapter, you will be introduced to the Open vSwitch mechanism driver and its respective agent, which utilizes Open vSwitch as the virtual switching technology that connect instances and hosts to the physical network.

In this chapter, you will do the following:

• Discover how Open vSwitch is used to build a virtual network infrastructure
• Visualize traffic flow through virtual switches
• Deploy the Open vSwitch mechanism driver and agent on hosts