2. Virtual Machines Created within the Virtualization layer, such as a hypervisor Shares the physical computer's CPU, hard disk, memory, and network interfaces Can be easily moved, copied & reassigned between host servers Applications & services can’t interfere with the host OS or other VMs Adaptors Virtual Network Interface Card (VNIC) The type of network adapters that are available depend on the following factors: The virtual machine version, which depends on what host created it or most recently updated it. Whether the virtual machine has been updated to the latest version for the current host. The guest operating system.

3. Container for applications & all of their dependencies Open VA- accessible to customers for modifications Closed VA- always packaged, distributed maintained updated & managed as a unit Examples: VMware, Parallels, Virtual Box Image file consisting of a pre-configured OS environment & a single application Simplifies delivery & operation of the application Virtual Appliance

4. Definition A virtual switch is a software program that allows one virtual machine to communicate with another. These switches not only forwards packets but also intelligently direct communication on the network. Virtual switches represents the networking entities or places where information can be stored that connects virtual machines in the virtual network at layer 2 of the OSI model. How they work Virtual switches are usually embedded into installed software, but they also may be included in a server’s hardware as a part of its firmware that contains the Network Interface Card’s transmission characteristics. The virtual switch merges physical switches into a single logical switch. This helps to increase bandwidth and create an active mesh topology between servers and switches.

5. Is a mechanism to reduce the complexity of Network Configuration Reduces the number of switches needed after the network’s size is taken into account Virtual switches makes deployment & migration of virtual servers easier Ensures the integrity of the Virtual machine’s profile Network & Security settings

6. Definition: Bridges are connectivity devices that also like virtual switches operates at the second layer of the OSI model. Bridges read header information to forward packets according to their MAC addresses. Bridges vs Repeaters & Switches They differ from repeaters in that they can interpret physical addressing information. When compared to a switch a bridge can only connect to two ports when a switch can connect too many and it is slower than a switch because it is a software that runs on top of the hardware.

7. STP: (Spanning Tree Protocol) Within the Spanning Tree Protocol a root or master bridge is selected that provides the basis for all the connections on different pathways within the “tree”. Only one Root Bridge exists on the network and the Spanning Tree Protocol selects the root bride based on its Bridge ID which is a combination of a 2-byte priority field and the bridge’s MAC address. Root Bridge