What is VDE: Virtual Distributed Ethernet?
VDE (Virtual Distributed Ethernet) is an open source software package that enables the creation of virtual network environments and components. It allows users to build virtual LANs, switches, routers, and other networking devices to test configurations, prototype new systems, or provide software-defined networking capabilities.
Some key features of VDE include:
- Ability to create multiple isolated virtual networks on a single physical host
- Support for layer 2 and layer 3 networking with features like VLANs, routing, multicast, etc.
- Flexible configuration of network topologies, policies, addressing schemes, etc.
- APIs and tools for automated network orchestration and scripted testing
- Portability across platforms - runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and other systems
- Integrates with virtualization platforms like QEMU/KVM
- Open source released under the GPL, enabling customization
VDE provides advanced networking capabilities to experiment with new protocols, test configurations before deployment, integrate with virtualization and container platforms, and prototype software-defined networking systems. Its modular architecture allows extensive customization as well. VDE is commonly used for networking research, software testing, virtual lab environments in academia, and network simulation purposes.
LogMeIn Hamachi, ZeroTier, Radmin VPN, Wippien, P2PVPN, NinjaVPN, NeoRouter, Hin2n, OpenVPN Finder, IPOP (IP-over-P2P), Tinc VPN, Comodo Unite are some alternatives to VDE: Virtual Distributed Ethernet.