Mapping virtual paths in virtualization environments

Quality of Service (QoS) in networks is an essential ingredient for providing attractive, reliable services to customers. In contrast to model layered protocol stacks, where resources are used exclusively, virtualization introduces a series of novel specific challenges, due to shared resources. This paper presents the model and mapping procedure of an approach for matching network QoS attributes with the needs of virtualization environments (VE). The key of our solution is an extended view on network topologies which adequately includes virtual components and links. We identify discernible types of network components and links, to enabe accurate descriptions of network paths through VEs. Our procedure is used to automatically describe (sub)topologies yielding enough information to enable network QoS implementations.