Virtual Network’s Most Common Definitions

1. Virtual Network (VNet):
   • A virtual network is a software-based representation of a physical network. It allows you to create isolated and segmented network environments within a cloud or virtualized infrastructure.
   • In the context of cloud computing, such as Azure or AWS, a VNet provides the foundation for creating private and secure communication channels between virtual machines and services.
2. Subnet:
   • A subnet is a subdivision of an IP network. It is used to divide a larger network into smaller, more manageable segments. Subnets can be physical or virtual and are crucial for organizing and optimizing network traffic.
3. IP Address:
   • An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network. It serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
4. CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing):
   • CIDR is a method for allocating IP addresses and IP routing. It allows for more flexible allocation of IP addresses than the older system of IP address classes. CIDR notation expresses an IP address and its routing prefix as a prefix length.
5. Gateway:
   • A gateway in the context of networking is a device that connects two different networks, serving as an entry or exit point. In the context of a virtual network, it could be a device or software providing access between a virtual network and external networks.
6. Firewall:
   • A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. In a virtual network, a firewall can be implemented in software to filter and control traffic between virtual machines or subnets.
7. Load Balancer:
   • A load balancer is a device or software that distributes network traffic evenly across multiple servers or resources. In a virtual network, load balancers ensure that the workload is efficiently distributed, optimizing resource utilization and improving application performance.
8. VPN (Virtual Private Network):
   • A VPN is a secure and encrypted connection established over a public network, such as the internet, to ensure secure communication between remote networks or users. In virtual networks, VPNs are often used to connect on-premises networks to cloud-based virtual networks.
9. DNS (Domain Name System):
   • DNS is a system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. In a virtual network, DNS services are essential for mapping domain names to the corresponding virtual machine or service IP addresses.
10. SDN (Software-Defined Networking):
    • SDN is an approach to networking that uses software-based controllers or application programming interfaces (APIs) to direct traffic on the network and communicate with the underlying hardware infrastructure. SDN provides greater flexibility, programmability, and automation in network management, including virtual networks.

Understanding these virtual network definitions is crucial for designing, deploying, and managing modern network infrastructures, especially in cloud computing environments.